Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Petite Plum’
Petite Plum Ninebark
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Height
- 4 to 6 feet
- Width
- 4 to 5 feet
- Flower color
- Large clusters of pale pink flowers
- Foliage color
- Bronze, burgundy
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Regular; can be drought tolerant
- Maintenance
- Low; prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Growing zone
- USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Seed pods provide food for birds
About this plant
Physocarpus opulifolius 'Petite Plum' produces rounded clusters of white flowers brushed with soft pink in late spring to early summer, followed by decorative dark purple-red seed pods with warm orange tones. Deep plum-purple, lobed leaves densely cover the branches, creating richly colored foliage throughout the growing season. Its compact, upright, rounded habit gives the shrub a tidy appearance, while the peeling bark on mature stems adds texture and winter interest after the leaves fall.
Developed by Timothy D. Wood at Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, Michigan, 'Petite Plum' originated from a 2005 cross and was selected in 2008 for its foliage color, compact habit, and disease tolerance. Marketed as Petite Plum®, it is well suited to mixed borders, foundation plantings, low hedges, mass plantings, and specimen settings.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Borders · Native Gardens · Bird Gardens
Companion plants
Boxwoods · Dwarf Korean fir · Bergenia · Maiden grass · Snowdrops · Agapanthus
Design tip
Use ‘Petite Plum’ in repeated groups to create a substantial sweep of plum-burgundy foliage. Its compact, mounded form gives the grouping a cohesive shape, while spring flowers and later seed clusters provide changing seasonal interest.
