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Summer Wine® Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward'

Proven Winners®
  • Deep Wine-Purple Foliage Glows All Season Long with Delicate Pink Blooms
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-7
  • Grows 6 ft Tall and Wide
  • Showy Pink, White Blooms From Late Spring to Early Summer
  • Excellent Privacy Screen or Hedge
$2093 $2617
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Plant in full sun for at least 6 hours a day to achieve the darkest, most vibrant purple foliage color. While it tolerates partial shade, too much shade will cause the leaves to turn green and may reduce the number of pink spring blooms.
  • Soil: This shrub adapts to a wide range of soil types, including clay and alkaline soils, as long as they drain well. If your soil is heavy or compacted, mix in organic compost at planting to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water deeply once or twice a week to help the root system establish, checking that the top inch of soil is dry before watering again. Once established, Summer Wine® is quite drought-tolerant, though consistent moisture during dry spells will keep the foliage looking fresh and prevent leaf scorch.

Pruning Tips

Summer Wine® Ninebark blooms on old wood, so the best time to prune is immediately after flowering in late spring or early summer. You can shape the plant lightly or rejuvenate it by removing one-third of the oldest, thickest stems down to the ground to encourage fresh, vigorous new growth from the base.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed your ninebark in early spring just as new growth begins to appear, using a balanced, slow-release shrub fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing late in the summer, as this can push new growth that won't have time to harden off before winter frost.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
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  • Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases

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Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com

If you want a carefree showstopper shrub in your landscape, all of the varieties in the Ninebark genus really deliver. They give you beautiful colored foliage, early spring flowers, interesting seed capsules and even winter interest. They are all wonderful in their own way. But we think Summer Wine® Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward') from Proven Winners® ColorChoice® really stands out!

It is precious in springtime, with the branches covered with a delicate profusion of clustered pink buds that open to the sweetest white blooms with cute little yellow centers and decorative stamens. Purple-leafed Summer Wine® stays very neat and tidy. It features compact branching and deeply cut, dark purple-crimson leaves all summer long. You will love the look of this flowering shrub in your landscape!

Summer Wine® is showy and extremely hardy and is prized as a landscape shrub and as a cut flower. Ninebark is related to the Rose family. While they don't look like roses, Ninebark flowers are just as pretty as a rose, in their own little way! The foliage turns a bright wine red in autumn and when they fall, you'll start to see the famous Ninebark exfoliating bark. The bark is decorative enough to add winter interest to your yard.

Planting and Application:

Use several plants to create a pretty grouping in the lawn. Use it as a backdrop for shorter shrubs and perennials. If you want to use them in a mass planting - plant them 5 feet apart. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next. Summer Wine® sure is fine in perennial or shrub borders and as a short screen or friendly-privacy fence.

This compact Ninebark looks amazing in a large container and it's very cold-hardy. In most places, you can leave it out all winter. Give it lots of water in late fall before you get freezes.

  • Dark Foliage Stunning Purple Leaves
  • Fine-Textured, Arching Branches
  • Sweet Pink Buds, White Flowers
  • Bloom in Early Spring - Boon to Pollinators
  • Great in Containers, Hedges, Privacy & En Masse

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Ninebark performs its very best in full sun and well-drained soil conditions. This plant requires little pruning. If you want to, it's best to prune after the spring blooms fade. Don't prune after mid-August, or you'll snip away the flower buds for next spring! Hardy in USDA growing zones 3 - 7 so it is incredibly cold-hardy! Plant in a location that has well-drained organic soil and moderate moisture.

  • Full Sun
  • Loves Moderately Moist Soil
  • Deciduous Cold-Hardy Shrub
  • Prune After Flowers Fade
  • Compact & Hardy Plant

Cold hardy, exfoliating bark, four seasons of interest, blooms and fall color, all wrapped into one fantastic shrub! Order your Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Summer Wine® Ninebark today! Send us pictures of your project, we'd love to see them!

Growing Zones 3–7

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA planting zones is Summer Wine® Ninebark hardy in?
  • Summer Wine® Ninebark is hardy in USDA zones 3-7, making it extremely cold-tolerant. This tough shrub can handle harsh winters and is cold-hardy enough to overwinter in containers in most locations. Water deeply in late fall before freezes to help it through winter.

How do I prune Summer Wine® Ninebark without ruining its shape?
  • Prune Summer Wine® Ninebark immediately after spring flowering to maintain its compact, arching shape. Remove up to one-third of the oldest canes at ground level and lightly trim branch tips. This timing preserves next year's blooms while keeping the naturally tidy form that makes this variety so popular at Nature Hills.

Will it survive hot summers or extreme weather like heavy rain?
  • Summer Wine® Ninebark is extremely hardy and handles weather extremes well, including hot summers and heavy rain. This tough shrub thrives in challenging conditions once established. Ensure good drainage and deep watering during extended heat periods for best performance.

What is the size at maturity for height and spread?
  • Summer Wine® Ninebark reaches 4-5 feet tall and wide at maturity, forming a compact, rounded shrub. This tidy growth habit makes it perfect for smaller spaces while still providing excellent screening. Plant 5 feet apart center to center for mass plantings or hedging.

What are the soil requirements, like tolerance to clay or alkaline soils?
  • Summer Wine® Ninebark thrives in a wide range of soil conditions, including clay and alkaline soils. This adaptable shrub tolerates poor drainage better than most flowering shrubs. For best results, ensure decent drainage and shop at Nature Hills for healthy, field-grown plants.

How much water does it need, especially when first planted?
  • Summer Wine® Ninebark needs regular watering when first planted to establish its root system. Water deeply 2-3 times per week for the first growing season, then it becomes quite drought tolerant. Give it extra water in late fall before freezes if growing in containers.

What is the shipping schedule by growing zone?
  • Summer Wine® Ninebark ships according to your hardiness zone's optimal planting window to ensure successful establishment. Spring shipments typically begin in zones 3-4 during late April through May, while warmer zones receive plants earlier. Check your specific zone's shipping calendar online for exact dates and plan your planting site preparation accordingly.

Does it get diseases like powdery mildew, and how to prevent them?
  • Summer Wine® Ninebark is generally resistant to powdery mildew and other common diseases. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering help prevent any potential issues. Plant with adequate spacing and water at soil level rather than on the foliage.
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