Planting Physocarpus and Cotoneaster
Physocarpus, also known as Ninebark, and Cotoneaster, are both reliable, versatile, low-maintenance plants that work for almost any garden.
I've planted lots of Physocarpus at my farm - around my pool, in front of my pool house, within my maze, and most recently, in an area across from my chicken coops. Native to North America, Physocarpus grows best in full sun to part shade and provides shelter and food for bees, butterflies, and songbirds. Cotoneaster blooms in the spring and summer, and produces small berries in the fall and winter. The plants can be used as shrubs, ground cover, or small trees, and can be trained or left to grow naturally. Both are from First Editions Shrubs & Trees.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- Physocarpus, commonly called ninebark, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae. Ninebarks are large shrubs that grow up to about 10 feet tall and wide. They get their common name from the bark, which sheds in reddish-brown strips. This one is Little Devil Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Donna May.’ A row of these was planted in my maze.
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- I also surrounded my pool with Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo,’ which is mixed in with Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ – both these shrubs have superlative dark colors and appealing forms. They are growing so excellently.
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- This is another variety of Ninebark, Honeycomb, Physocarpus opulifolius ‘ZLENora,’ which has large, vibrant, chartreuse leaves that hold their color all season long, even in full sun. In the spring, white flowers provide contrast to the leaves, in summer bright red seedpods emerge, and in the fall, bold green to gold foliage stand out.
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- Here are the autumn leaves of the Honeycomb Ninebark turning colors.
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- Here in the Northeast, with unseasonably warm temperatures, we’re still able to plant. It is actually good to plant in fall when the soil is still warm from summer but moist enough for the roots to establish before winter.
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- Potted Ninebark plants are spaced five to seven feet apart in an area that gets part shade down across from my chicken coops.
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- Digging starts for all 20 plants as soon as they are placed in their designated locations.
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- The holes are dug no deeper than the original containers, but about five or six inches wider on all sides.
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- The plants are placed into the holes to check for proper depth.
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- Cesar removes a plant from its container and scarifies to stimulate growth.
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- He sprinkles a generous amount of fertilizer and then backfills, tamping down as he goes to ensure good contact between the plant and the surrounding soil.
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- All the specimens are planted in just an hour. Other more mature Ninebarks are also planted here and are doing well. Always consider a specimen’s light and space needs when selecting a location.
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- Ryan places Cotoneaster along the carriage road leading to my Run-In paddock. These plants will do well here in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade.
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- The foliage is gray green in spring and summer. This is Autumn Inferno Cotoneaster ‘Bronfire.’
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- As temperatures drop, the leaves shift to vibrant shades of reds, oranges, and yellows.
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- Here are leaves in bright red.
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- These plants are spaced appropriately, about five feet apart. When mature, they will be about five feet tall and five feet wide.
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- In assembly line fashion, Cesar begins making holes with a post hole digger.
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- Each plant is placed into its hole with a generous scoop of fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro all purpose plant food.
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- Josh backfills. Cotoneaster grows best in moist, well-drained soil, and can tolerate most soil types, but likes loose soil best.
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- Both Cotoneaster and Ninebark provide wonderful interest through the seasons. If you don’t already enjoy these plants in your garden, I hope you consider adding one, or two, or more…
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