Digging deeperPlant Library

Other Names:  Eastern Ninebark, Donna May Ninebark

Description:

A compact upright shrub with burgundy leaves; features small pinkish-white spirea-like flowers followed by subtle reddish fruit, and interesting peeling papery bark; extremely tough and durable, good for massing or general garden use

Ornamental Features

Little Devil Ninebark features showy clusters of white flowers with shell pink overtones at the ends of the branches in early summer. It has burgundy deciduous foliage. The small serrated lobed leaves turn purple in fall. It produces red capsules from early to mid fall. The peeling tan bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Little Devil Ninebark is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Little Devil Ninebark is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Little Devil Ninebark will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It has a low canopy. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.