Sweet Cherry Tea Ninebark

Sweet Cherry Tea Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Sweet Cherry Tea')

Sweet Cherry Tea Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Sweet Cherry Tea') is a hardy deciduous shrub grown for its rich, warm-toned foliage and its dependable, landscape-ready performance. New growth often shows cherry-red to coppery tones before settling into deep burgundy, creating a layered color effect that stays strong from spring through fall. In late spring to early summer, clusters of small white to soft pink flowers stand out against the darker leaves, followed by subtle seed heads that extend the seasonal interest. With its bold color and sturdy, multi-stem habit, Sweet Cherry Tea Ninebark makes an excellent focal point in mixed borders, foundation beds, and mass plantings where you want warm, saturated foliage and reliable structure.

Distinctive Features

The standout feature is the warm red-burgundy foliage that can show multiple tones at once, especially on new growth, giving the shrub depth instead of a flat single color. This warm palette pairs beautifully with gold foliage shrubs, deep green evergreens, and silver-leaved perennials, and it also echoes warm flower colors through summer borders. Like other ninebarks, older stems develop exfoliating bark that adds winter texture after leaves drop. Sweet Cherry Tea 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 that still need standout color.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; strongest 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: 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 warm-toned foliage anchor where cherry and burgundy leaves can ground a planting and highlight brighter companions.
• Mixed Shrub Borders: Adds strong color contrast among evergreens, gold foliage shrubs, and flowering plants.
• Foundation Planting: Provides season-long foliage color and strong structure where space allows.
• Mass Planting: Plant in groups for a repeating band of warm, 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 stronger leaf 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 Sweet Cherry Tea Ninebark?

• Warm Burgundy Foliage: Cherry-red new growth matures into rich burgundy tones for season-long color.
• 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.
• Textural Winter Bark: Exfoliating stems add extra landscape character after leaves drop.
• Strong Focal Point Value: Brings warm, saturated foliage color and dependable structure that anchors mixed borders.

If you want a tough shrub that delivers warm cherry to burgundy foliage and reliable structure with minimal fuss, Sweet Cherry Tea Ninebark adds focal point impact and season-long color to sunny and partially shaded landscapes.