Building Resilient Landscapes with Ninebarks
As climate change, pest pressures, and shifting garden aesthetics influence the future of landscaping, selecting plants that are both visually striking and inherently tough is more important than ever. That’s where ninebarks take center stage. These deciduous shrubs are not just eye-catching with their spring blooms, colorful foliage, and peeling bark, they’re the work horse of durability and adaptability, making them fundamental tools for building resilient, low-maintenance landscapes.
Why Ninebarks?
Ninebarks, or Physocarpus opulifolius, are prized for their multi-season appeal, cold hardiness, and low input needs. These shrubs are adaptable to a wide range of climates and soils, tolerate drought once established, and generally resist most pests. However, many cultivars and straight species are susceptible to powdery mildew. This issue is something that First Editions® varieties overcome with their notable resistance. Their exfoliating bark provides winter interest, while spring blooms and colorful foliage make them stars in the growing season.
Solving Common Landscaping Problems
Whether you’re designing urban spaces, revitalizing gardens, or supporting pollinators, ninebarks help solve several landscaping challenges.
- Erosion Control: Their fibrous root systems stabilize slopes and embankments.
- Privacy and Screening: Dense branching provides natural barriers with texture and color.
- Low Maintenance Needs: Once established, they require minimal water, pruning, or pest control.
- Pollinator Support: Their spring flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects.
- Design Flexibility: With a broad palette of foliage colors and sizes, they’re ideal for both formal and naturalistic designs.
- Zone Flexibility: Hardy in zones 2–7 depending on variety.
- Multi-Season Appeal: Colorful foliage for summer, spring flowers, and exfoliating bark for winter interest.
First Editions® Ninebark Lineup: Built for the Job Site
First Editions® Shrubs & Trees has a multifunctional line up of ninebark to meet the specific needs of professionals like you! Durable genetics, predictable growth habits, and remarkable color.
Here’s the breakdown:
First Editions® Amber Jubilee™ Ninebark
- Striking gold, orange, and red foliage
- Upright form ideal for vertical accents or hedging
- Dynamic seasonal color emerging red foliage shifts to deep green in summer, and ends with vibrant red and purple hues in fall
First Editions® Fireside® Ninebark
- Deep red-purple foliage with improved mildew resistance
- Clean, tidy form making it great for mixed beds or screens
- Holds color through summer heat and turns a deep purple in the fall
First Editions® Little Devil™ Ninebark
- Compact form, deep burgundy foliage
- Perfect for tight spaces, foundations, and urban installs
- Labor saving with no pruning required
First Editions® Honeycomb® Ninebark
- Bright yellow foliage in a compact frame, thrives in part shade
- Growing to 4-6’ tall, it’s well-suited for the back of borders
- Adds high-impact color with minimal effort
First Editions® Spicy Devil Ninebark
- Newest compact ninebark reaching 3-4’ tall
- Orange-yellow hues emerge in spring then intensify to reddish-purple leaves
- Excellent for seasonal interest with minimal upkeep
First Editions® Lucky Devil® Ninebark
- Bright yellow leaves that don’t bleach in the sun
- Compact and tidy
- Perfect for layered plantings and color transitions
A Reliable Partner in Your Landscape Toolbox
With the First Editions® ninebark lineup, we deliver consistent shrubs that work as hard as you do. These shrubs offer the curb appeal your customers want, and the durability and efficiency this business demands.
If you’re looking for a reliable tool for your toolbox that looks great, performs well, and will stand the test of time, First Editions® ninebarks won’t disappoint.
