Summer Wine Ninebark

Summer Wine Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward')

Summer Wine Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward') is a hardy deciduous shrub grown for its deep wine-purple foliage and its compact, landscape-friendly habit that delivers bold contrast without taking over the bed. The leaves emerge a rich burgundy and hold strong color through the growing season, creating a dark backdrop that makes brighter plants look sharper and more intentional. In late spring to early summer, clusters of small white to soft pink flowers stand out against the dark foliage, followed by subtle seed heads that extend the seasonal interest. With its dense form and saturated leaf color, Summer Wine Ninebark makes an excellent focal point in mixed borders, foundation beds, and mass plantings where you want dramatic foliage and reliable structure.

Distinctive Features

The standout feature is the refined, compact habit paired with consistently dark foliage, giving you the impact of larger purple ninebarks in a more manageable size. The dark leaves pair especially well with gold foliage shrubs, deep green evergreens, and bright summer perennials, creating strong contrast that reads from a distance. Like other ninebarks, older stems develop exfoliating bark that adds winter texture after leaves drop. Summer Wine is valued for toughness and adaptability, handling cold, heat, and a range of soils once established, making it a dependable choice for low-maintenance landscapes.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; deepest foliage color and densest growth typically develop with more sun.
• Soil: Adaptable; prefers well-drained soil but tolerates a range of soil types once established.
• Water: Moderate; water regularly during establishment, then as needed during extended dry spells.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7.
• Habit: Dense, multi-stem deciduous shrub with an upright to arching form.
• Mature Size: About 5 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a dark foliage anchor where wine-purple leaves can ground a planting and highlight brighter companions.
• Mixed Shrub Borders: Adds strong contrast among gold foliage shrubs, evergreens, and flowering plants.
• Foundation Planting: Provides season-long color and strong structure where space allows.
• Mass Planting: Plant in groups for a repeating band of dark foliage color and a cohesive landscape look.
• Back-of-Perennial Beds: Creates a rich backdrop that makes blooms and grasses stand out more clearly.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water consistently the first growing season; after that, water during prolonged drought.
• Pruning: Prune after flowering or in late winter to shape; remove a few older stems at the base to refresh the plant.
• Color Management: Provide more sun for deeper foliage color and tighter growth.
• Fertilizing: Usually not needed; feed lightly in spring if growth is weak.
• Mulching: Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch off the base of stems.
• Hardiness: Tough and adaptable once established, making it well-suited for low-maintenance landscapes.

Why Choose Summer Wine Ninebark?

• Wine Purple Foliage: Rich burgundy leaves provide bold contrast from spring through fall.
• Compact for Its Impact: Delivers strong dark color in a manageable size for many landscapes.
• Seasonal Flowers: Soft white to pink blooms create a striking spring display against dark leaves.
• Durable Shrub Performance: Handles cold, heat, and a range of soils once established.
• Strong Focal Point Value: Brings saturated foliage color and dependable structure that anchors mixed borders and foundation beds.

If you want a tough shrub that delivers deep wine foliage and strong contrast with minimal fuss, Summer Wine Ninebark adds focal point impact and season-long color to sunny and partially shaded landscapes.