Ninebark Perennial?
Question:I would like to try growing a ninebark plant. Does anyone know which species would grow the fullest (in Zone 5) & mature at 4-6 feet?
Answers:
Ninebark is actually a shrub. I used "Diablo" frequently, they are beautiful, but the will grow taller than 4-6 feet if you don't keep them pruned. Here is a link on the Diablo (and it would do just fine in zone 5)
http://www.paghat.com/ninebark.html...
Here is a link to the common ninebark, it's not a pretty as the diablo variety:
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/p/phyop...
This last link is for a relatively new variety, "Dart's Gold".
http://www.paghat.com/goldenninebark.htm...
I think of the 3, the diablo is the prettiest, but it would require pruning to keep it at 4-6 feet.
The dart's gold will not get as big as the diablo, maturing around 5 feet. It is ideal for zones 6-8, but can grow in colder zones if it has some protection.
Good luck!
From a horticultural perspective, its never a good practice to plan on using a shrub that must be pruned to fit its site. As a designer I always try to recommend right plant for the the right site. I could not recommend Diablo for your application, though it is a fantastic shrub. That said, customers have wants and desires and you have to sometimes use a shrub that exceeds a site's size limitations. In that case, try to limit the pruning to no more than 3/4-2/3 of the mature size of the shrub. Cutting more than this on a yearly basis can severely stresses a shrub and lead to other problems. That means you should not select a shrub that normally grows greater than 6-9' if your height limit is 4-6'.
All are full sun, part sun. All are hardy in zones 2-7.
Coppertina
New growth is copper, turning to red in simmer. 8-10' tall, 5-6' wide.
Darts Gold
Yellow spring foliage turning yellow green in summer. 4-5' tall with equal spread.
Diablo
One of my favorites, but needs space to attain its full stature in the landscape. Large shrub with purple leaf, good winter interst in bark. 8-12' tall with 8-9' width.
Nugget
Deep golden yellow leaves in spring that mature to lime green in summer. 6-8' tall with 5-7' spread.
Snowfall
Neater & more compact than straight species. 5-7' tall with 6-10' spread. Medium green summer foliage, turning yellowish bronze in fall.
Summer Wine
Neat & compact with fine deeply cut , dark crimson-red leaves. Grows 4-6 foot tall with equal spread. This is a nice option. A little darker red than diablo. More compact and nice looking, fine cut foliage.
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