Pacific ninebark

Physocarpus capitatus

The Pacific ninebark is a fun shrub with beautiful, peeling bark and lovely white flowers. It grows in clusters and is great for attracting butterflies and bees!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Pacific ninebark is a deciduous shrub with striking reddish-brown bark that peels away in papery layers. It features clusters of small, five-petaled white to pinkish flowers, often appearing fuzzy from numerous stamens. Its leaves are lobed, bright green, and turn yellow or bronze in autumn.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusPhysocarpus

Pacific ninebark

Interesting facts

"Ninebark" refers to its amazing bark constantly peeling away in many thin, papery layers.

Even after its leaves fall, its beautiful exfoliating bark makes it interesting to look at all winter!

Its tough bark was traditionally woven into strong ropes and fishing nets by indigenous peoples!

This hardy shrub can thrive in both very wet soil and drier conditions once established.

Special abilities

Pacific ninebark has unique peeling bark that helps it shed moss and lichens, keeping its woody stems healthy and strong.

Its extensive root system allows Pacific ninebark to anchor soil firmly, helping it prevent erosion along stream banks.

The clusters of tiny white flowers on Pacific ninebark attract a wide variety of busy bees and other helpful pollinating insects.

Measurements & details

Height: 100-600 cm
Spread: 100-500 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1.5 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Two-form Bumble Bee

Bombus bifarius

collects nectar and pollen

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

gathers nectar from its flowers

eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

browses its leaves and twigs

shelters

Pacific Wren

Troglodytes pacificus

nests in its dense branches

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Cluster Flower

Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.

Shrub

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.