This One Shrub Brings Year-Round Color and Wildlife to Small Spaces – 5 Steps to Growing Ninebark in Pots
Compact varieties of ninebark are perfect low-maintenance native plants for pots
If you are after a native shrub that you can grow in containers to put on a dazzling year-round show, plus attract pollinators, then look no further than ninebark (Physocarpus). We reveal the key factors for growing ninebark in containers successfully so you can enjoy healthy shrubs and stunning displays.
Compact varieties of ninebark are perfect for containers and can offer dramatic foliage, gorgeous dome-shaped flowers, and the shrub’s striking peeling bark. Picking smaller varieties is key to perfecting ninebark in containers, along with the right pot, location, and keeping on top of watering and feeding the shrubs.
Here, we look in-depth at five key factors for success to help you get the best performance from these deciduous, summer-flowering shrubs. Get it right, and growing ninebark in containers can be simple. You’ll get a performance from spring through to winter for years to come.
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Can You Grow Ninebark in Containers?
Yes, you can grow ninebark in containers without too much fuss. If you have space on a sunny deck or patio, there is likely to be a ninebark for you to bring glorious foliage and flowers to any yard.
If you have aspirations for a wildlife garden in pots, ninebark blooms attract a host of pollinators in summer, and birds feed on the seedheads in fall.
1. Pick a Compact Variety
If you harbor dreams of growing ninebark in containers on a patio or deck, opt for a compact variety. Larger varieties of the flowering shrub can reach ten feet tall and wide, which is far too expansive for a container. However, there is a great selection of compact varieties available that are perfectly suitable for pots.
The likes of ‘Summer Wine’, ‘Tiny Wine’, ‘Little Angel’, and ‘Little Devil’ offer the beauty and year-round interest of larger ninebark shrubs, and also attract pollinators into any smaller space. These compact varieties come in a range of colors and shades and reach no more than 4-6 feet in height.
Compact ninebark shrubs are suited to and easier to maintain in a container garden. For an attractive display, you can even group more than one pot for glorious foliage, flowers, and the unique exfoliating bark.
Shop Compact Ninebark Varieties
A 'Tiny Wine' ninebark shrub reaches just 3-4 feet and is perfect for containers. The white flowers stand out superbly against the dark maroon foliage.
'Summer Wine' offers gardeners the darkest ninebark foliage on the market. It is a compact version of the 'Diabolo' ninebark and reaches 5-6 feet.
'Little Devil' is small but mighty. It reaches heights of 3-4 feet and offers purple foliage, pink and white summer flowers, and the exfoliating bark. It is also mildew-resistant.
2. Use a Large Container
Even for compact ninebark shrubs, you want a large container to accommodate the shrub’s roots. A suitable container should be at least 24 inches wide and deep, and must have drainage holes in the bottom.
The container can be any material, ranging from lightweight plastic (such as this plastic planter at Amazon) to traditional ceramic planters (like this handmade ceramic pot at Wayfair).
Fill your chosen container with a quality potting soil for container gardening, such as this Miracle-Gro potting mix, available at Amazon. Such a formulated mix is well-draining and contains nutrients to feed potted plants for several months.
Drainage is vitally important for plants in pots, as excess moisture can cause root rot. Using old garden soil in pots, for example, is a container gardening mistake as it sits too wet and risks rot. Along with adding drainage holes to planters, a well-draining potting mix is essential to healthy plants.
3. Find a Sunny Spot
Give your ninebark the right amount of sun, and it will reward you with the best display of dome-shaped flower blooms in early summer. An ideal spot in your yard will get at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
A ninebark can tolerate light shade, but increased levels of shade will impact the flowering.
However, in the hottest southern US hardiness zones, a ninebark may prefer some afternoon shade. This is especially the case in containers, where they may dry out quickly or suffer from summer scorch in extreme heat.
A bit of protection from blazing afternoon sun in these warmer climates is beneficial and will give you the best show from the shrub.
4. Water Regularly and Deeply
Growing ninebark in containers works, as it is a shrub that can tolerate both dry and wet conditions. It is a drought-tolerant shrub, yet also prefers moist conditions, making it an ideal low-maintenance plant for a container.
Even though it can tolerate drought once established, it still needs regular deep watering during the summer, as the soil can dry out quickly on warm days.
A good way to check when watering plants in containers is to use your fingers and see the moisture levels an inch or two down in the soil. If it feels dry, give plants a deep watering until it runs out of the drainage holes at the bottom.
Alternatively, you can use a soil moisture meter (you can get a soil moisture meter at Amazon) to help know when to water plants without having to put your fingers in the soil.
Occasional deep waterings early in the morning are more beneficial to the plant than regular light watering, and a better way to keep soil moist in the summer.
The former gets water down to the root zone and gives the plant a chance to take in moisture before the temperatures rise. Light watering, especially when the sun is out, may result in more moisture lost to evaporation than the shrub gets.
5. Remember to Fertilize Plants
Ninebark in containers relies more on fertilizers than those growing in the ground, as the shrub can use up all the nutrients available in the limited soil.
For the best display, you should regularly feed the shrub to boost the soil and provide the essential nutrients it needs to grow healthily and flower.
The best route is to feed the plants in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Use a product like this Osmocote plant food, available at Amazon, that can feed plants for up to six months. Apply it to the soil surface, lightly mix it in, and then water thoroughly.
If you use a faster-acting liquid fertilizer, it will need to be reapplied every 4-6 weeks to provide enough nutrients to last the full growing season.
Avoid feeding plants in the fall, as this risks encouraging fresh growth that won’t have time to harden off in time before the frosts arrive.
What to Shop
This stylish planter is made from 100% recyclable high-grade polyethylene, so it is lightweight and portable. It is built to last and has an essential drainage hole.
This long-reach watering can is made from heavy-gauge steel and treated to prevent rust. It comes with a removable brass rose for when more gentle watering is needed.
This Miracle-Gro 'Shake 'N Feed' plant food contains essential nutrients and feeds for up to three months. It should be reapplied every three months during the active growing season.
Ninebark doesn’t need lots of regular pruning to look graceful and bloom profusely. But there is a need to thin branches and lightly shape the bush to keep it healthy.
This should be done after flowering in late spring or early summer, and you can find expert trimming tips in our in-depth guide to when and how to prune ninebark shrubs.
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