Pacifc Ninebark

Physocarpus capitatus. Member of the Rose Family Rosaceae.

Native along the west coast from Southeastern Alaska to Santa Barbara California, these beautiful and striking plants provide dense five fingered foliage resembling small maple leaves on multiple slender dark papery barked upright trunks.

Pacific ninebark’s fibrous roots make it an excellent plant for erosion control along embankments and slopes in wet areas, this tall deciduous bush can reach up to 15 feet high and wide in ideal conditions.

Particularly showy in spring when its foliage is dense with spherical blossom clusters of tightly packed tiny fairy-like white flowers with yellow centers and pink stamens in mid to late spring which transform into bright red seed pod clusters in autumn. It is a truly spectacular landscape plant that does well in wetlands and areas with partial shade and makes an exceptional border hedge or showy wild garden centerpiece.

The slender upright dark trunks of peeling bark can grow 12 to 15 feet creating graceful arching bows of flowers and bright red pods depending on the season.

These are some of our favorites in the native gardens, attracting butterflies and other pollinators when blooming and creating dramatic and exciting color in fall.

This plant should be considered for shady moist areas, along creeks or seasonal streams or in wetland areas. Important to native bees as a food source and also visited by butterflies.