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Close-up of Pacific Ninebark flower (Physocarpus capitatus). Another stunning Pacific Northwest native shrub available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of pacific ninebark leaves (Physocarpus capitatus). Another stunning Pacific Northwest native shrub available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) growing in a riparian area beside a large, fallen Ponderosa pine branch. Another stunning Pacific Northwest native shrub available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants Nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Pacific Ninebark

$7.95
$7.95

Physocarpus capitatus

Pacific Ninebark is a large deciduous shrub, with an attractive full form, named for its reddish peeling bark. Small, showy clusters of white flowers appear in late spring and provide a treasure trove for native insect pollinators. Due to it's size and plentiful blooms, Ninebark one of the best native plants for bringing butterflies to the garden. In the late season, the flowers mature into reddish brown capsules and the leaves assume pleasant fall colors.

  • Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous perennial large shrub
  • Size at maturity: 8-16' tall, 4-7' wide
  • Light requirements: full sun, part sun/part shade
  • Moisture requirements: moist to seasonally wet soil
  • Bloom time: May - August (May - June in the Portland Metro area)
  • Growth rate/ease: fast growing, easy to grow
  • Wildlife support: attracts and provides nectar to adult butterflies, bees and other insect pollinators, attracts and supports beneficial and other pest eating insects, caterpillar host plant/larval food source, fruits are an important food source for many species of native birds 
  • Native habitat/range: Common in riparian and moist forest habitats of western North America from southern Alaska to southern California, and east to Montana and Utah. Portland Plant List - yes. 
  • Special features & uses: butterfly favorite, excellent in pollinator gardens, raingardens or bioswales, and woodland gardens, erosion control 

Gardening with Pacific Ninebark: Ninebark thrives in moist, part-to-mostly sunny environments, like a raingarden or bioswale,  that mimic the riparian forest edge where it naturally finds home. It also is excellent for stabling slopes and controlling erosion. 

Photo Credit 1: "Pacific ninebark Physocarpus capitatus" by loarie is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Photo Credit 2: "Pacific ninebark Physocarpus capitatus" by loarie is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Photo Credit 3: Nikkie West, Sparrowhawk Native Plants

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