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Key characteristics

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

Shrubs

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Petite Plum’

Petite Plum Ninebark

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.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Regular; can be drought tolerant

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)