Tiny Wine Gold Ninebark

Tiny Wine Gold Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'SMNPOTWG')

Tiny Wine Gold Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'SMNPOTWG') is a compact deciduous shrub grown for its bright golden foliage and its tidy, rounded habit that fits neatly into smaller landscapes. The leaves emerge a gold that turns a bright green-yellow shade, bringing instant lift to foundation beds and mixed borders. In late spring to early summer, clusters of small white to soft pink flowers add a gentle bloom moment against the bright foliage, followed by subtle seed heads that extend the seasonal interest. With its manageable size and high-visibility leaf color, Tiny Wine Gold Ninebark makes an excellent focal point where you want a reliable pop of gold without a large shrub footprint.

Distinctive Features

The standout feature is the combination of dwarf size and bright foliage, giving you strong color impact in a plant that stays controlled and easy to place. The golden leaves create contrast against dark evergreens, purple-leaved shrubs, and deep green perennials, and they can also echo warm flower colors in summer borders. Like other ninebarks, older stems develop exfoliating bark that adds winter texture when the shrub is bare. Tiny Wine Gold is valued for toughness and adaptability, handling cold, heat, and a range of soils once established, which makes it a dependable choice for low-maintenance landscapes.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; brightest 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: Dwarf, dense, rounded multi-stem deciduous shrub.
• Mature Size: About 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a compact gold foliage anchor where bright leaves can lift the color of an entire bed.
• Foundation Planting: Fits neatly under windows and along walkways, providing season-long color in a manageable size.
• Mixed Shrub Borders: Adds strong contrast among evergreens, purple shrubs, and flowering plants.
• Mass Planting: Plant in groups for a repeating band of bright foliage color and a cohesive landscape look.
• Back-of-Perennial Beds: Creates a bright backdrop for blues, purples, and warm summer blooms.

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 brighter 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 Tiny Wine Gold Ninebark?

• Bright Golden Foliage: Chartreuse to gold leaves bring high-visibility color from spring through fall.
• Compact Habit: Dwarf size fits easily in smaller beds, foundation plantings, and mixed borders.
• Seasonal Flowers: Soft white to pink blooms add a light spring moment against bright foliage.
• Durable Shrub Performance: Handles cold, heat, and a range of soils once established.
• Strong Focal Point Value: Delivers glowing foliage color and tidy structure that anchors plantings.

If you want a compact shrub that brightens landscapes with golden foliage and dependable toughness, Tiny Wine Gold Ninebark adds focal point impact and season-long color to sunny and partially shaded beds.