Ninebark. common Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim., Native Minnesota Wildflower shrub, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

(Common Ninebark). A shrub that likes to be near moisture, with showy 1/2" wide white flowers in dense upright clusters. The branches are long, re-curved, and the old bark on branches will peel in layers or strips, hence the common name "ninebark". Leaves are alternate and larger lower leaves will have 3 to 5 pointed lobes (resembling maple leaves). The example in the Garden is a large old specimen, close to 10 feet high with a close-growing dogwood intertwined in some of the branches. The fruit is a small seed capsule borne in the upright cluster, turning to a reddish brown in the fall. It is located at Guidebook station 24 at the intersection of Geranium Lane and Lady's-slipper Lane. While commonly found in moist areas the shrub is adaptable to other conditions. It can be propagated from seeds or cuttings; seeds require no pretreatment to germinate; and can be transplanted when young. When well established however, it is well grounded and would require heavy equipment to fully remove. The genus name if from the Greek meaning "bladdery fruit" referring to the way the seed is held in a bladder like cover. The species name refers to "opulus" which is a maple, and which type leaf the lower leaves resemble.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Ninebark	Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim.	Rose (Rosaceae)	Woodland	Early Summer
Other names and notes	(Common Ninebark). A shrub that likes to be near moisture, with showy 1/2" wide white flowers in dense upright clusters. The branches are long, re-curved, and the old bark on branches will peel in layers or strips, hence the common name "ninebark". Leaves are alternate and larger lower leaves will have 3 to 5 pointed lobes (resembling maple leaves). The example in the Garden is a large old specimen, close to 10 feet high with a close-growing dogwood intertwined in some of the branches. The fruit is a small seed capsule borne in the upright cluster, turning to a reddish brown in the fall. It is located at Guidebook station 24 at the intersection of Geranium Lane and Lady's-slipper Lane. While commonly found in moist areas the shrub is adaptable to other conditions. It can be propagated from seeds or cuttings; seeds require no pretreatment to germinate; and can be transplanted when young. When well established however, it is well grounded and would require heavy equipment to fully remove. The genus name if from the Greek meaning "bladdery fruit" referring to the way the seed is held in a bladder like cover. The species name refers to "opulus" which is a maple, and which type leaf the lower leaves resemble.