Overview
Uses: Low hedges, foundation plantings, mixed borders, and pollinator gardens.
Benefits: A small-scale ninebark with bronze-maroon foliage and stems lined with white to pale pink flowers in late spring. Fits spaces where standard ninebarks get too big.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Sun: Full Sun
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded, Upright — compact and well branched.
Bloom Color: White to Pink
Foliage Color: Bronze to Burgundy
Mature Height: 3–4 feet
Mature Width: 3–4 feet
Bloom Season: Late spring
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
A ninebark small enough for the front of the bed.
Purple-leaved ninebarks are some of the most useful color shrubs in the garden, but the familiar ones grow 8 to 10 feet tall. Tiny Wine® brings that look down to about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, in a compact, well-branched shape that fits along walks, under windows, and in a low hedge.
The foliage is bronze-maroon, a shade lighter and warmer than the near-black ninebarks, and it makes a handsome partner for gold, silver, and blue-green plants. In late spring, clusters of white to pale pink flowers open along the length of each stem rather than only at the tips, so the whole plant looks covered when it blooms.
Those flowers are a draw for bees and butterflies, and after the leaves drop, older stems show ninebark's characteristic peeling bark through winter.
Care
Tiny Wine® Ninebark Care
Plant in full sun for the richest foliage color. The plant grows in partial shade, but the leaves turn greener with less light.
Ninebark grows in a wide range of soils, including clay and rocky ground, as long as water does not stand around the roots. It handles slightly dry sites better than soggy ones.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season while roots establish. Established plants tolerate dry spells well. Water at the base rather than over the leaves, and allow some space between plants so air moves freely, which helps limit powdery mildew in humid weather.
Feeding needs are light. One application of a slow release fertilizer in early spring is plenty, and plants in reasonable soil often need none.
Tiny Wine® flowers on the previous year's growth, so do any shaping right after bloom. Its compact size means it rarely needs more than a light trim. Every few years, remove one or two of the oldest stems at the base to keep it dense.
Growing in Containers
Its small size suits a large patio container, where the dark foliage works well as a centerpiece for annuals. Use a pot with open drainage and a quality potting mix. Container plants dry out faster than plants in the ground, so check moisture often during warm weather, and feed lightly each spring, since frequent watering washes nutrients out of the mix. Roots in containers experience greater cold exposure than roots in the ground. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the Tiny Wine® Ninebark for Sale Online?
Our Tiny Wine® Ninebark ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with few or no leaves. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Tiny Wine® Ninebark Grow?
Expect about 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity, in a rounded, upright shape. Space plants about 3 feet apart for a low hedge.
Additional Information
What is the botanical name of Tiny Wine® Ninebark?
The botanical name is Physocarpus opulifolius Tiny Wine® ‘SMPOTW’. It is a Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrub selected for its compact size and heavy bloom.
What are some common names for this plant?
It is usually called common ninebark, or simply ninebark. The name comes from the bark on older stems, which peels away in many thin layers.
Is Tiny Wine® Ninebark a native plant?
It is a selection of Physocarpus opulifolius, which is native across much of eastern and central North America. Selections like this one are often called nativars: they keep the flowers and pollinator value of the native species in a smaller, more colorful garden form. Browse more Native Plants of North America.
How does it compare with Summer Wine® Black?
Summer Wine® Black is the larger plant, growing 5 to 6 feet with an arching habit and finely cut, nearly black leaves. Tiny Wine® stays around 3 to 4 feet in a rounded shape, with warmer bronze-maroon foliage. Choose Tiny Wine® for low hedges and front-of-border spots, and Summer Wine® Black where you want a taller dark accent. For more options, see our Shrubs & Bushes.
