Summer Wine® Ninebark

Name: Summer Wine® Ninebark
Brand: Proven Winners
SKU: 23220
Price: 26.17 USD
Availability: InStock

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward'

Proven Winners®

$26¹⁷

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In Stock

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

Quart Container #3 Container

Product variants

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

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

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!

Botanical Name

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward'
Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Rosales
Species

opulifolius
Cultivar

Seward
Growing Zones

3–7
Height

6 ft
Width

6 ft
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- Pink
- White
Leaf Color
- Purple
Fall Color

Reddish-Purple
Bloom Period

Late Spring, Early Summer
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 3–7

Find Your Growing Zone!

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.