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Summer Wine® Ninebark

$7995 $9995
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Risk-Free 1 Year Warranty

Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your Summer Wine® Ninebark

Planting Instructions for Summer Wine® Ninebark

  1. Choosing the Right Location: Plant Summer Wine Ninebark in full sun in USDA zones 3 through 7, with at least six hours of direct sun for the strongest purple foliage. It can grow in some partial shade, but the leaves may turn greener and less dramatic.
  2. Soil Preparation: Choose a site with well-drained soil. Ninebark adapts to many soil types, and mixing compost into the planting area helps roots establish quickly.
  3. Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, and set the shrub level with the surrounding ground. It grows about 5 to 6 feet tall and wide with graceful, arching branches. For an informal hedge or screen, plant about 4 to 5 feet apart.
  4. Mulching and First Watering: Water deeply right after planting and add 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base, keeping it away from the stems.

Care Instructions

  1. Watering: Water regularly during the first season to establish strong roots so it can put on vigorous growth. In the warmer end of its range, steady moisture during summer keeps it healthy and colorful.
  2. Fertilizing: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring if growth is weak. Summer Wine is fast-growing and rarely needs heavy feeding.
  3. Pest and Disease Monitoring: Watch for powdery mildew in humid weather and crowded plantings. Thinning older stems and watering at the base keep air moving and foliage healthy.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Pruning: Very little pruning is needed. If needed, prune lightly after flowering to shape it, or remove a few older stems at the base. This keeps the plant at your preferred size while preserving its natural, arching form.
  2. Winter Care: Summer Wine is extremely cold hardy and handles harsh northern winters well without protection. Water deeply in fall before the ground freezes and refresh the mulch layer to protect roots through freeze and thaw cycles.

Additional Tips for Growing Summer Wine® Ninebark

  1. Flowers: Small clusters of white flowers appear in early summer and stand out against the dark wine-purple leaves. The soft blooms add seasonal interest and give the shrub a lighter look at the start of summer.
  2. Cut Branches: Stems and foliage make beautiful cut branches for arrangements. Place cut stems in water right away, and enjoy the fact that cutting doubles as light pruning.
  3. Design and Shipping: Pair it with green shrubs, golden foliage or bright flowers to make the purple stand out. Due to state plant regulations, it cannot ship to Oregon, Arizona or California.
What Customers say about the Summer Wine® Ninebark:

The Summer Wine® Ninebark thrives in Zones 3-7

Growing Zones for the Summer Wine® Ninebark

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Summer Wine® Ninebark.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 3-7
Mature Height 5-6 ft.
Mature Width 5-6 ft.
Cannot Ship To OR, AZ, CA
Sunlight Full Sun
Botanical Name Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine'

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Summer Wine® Ninebark

Beware- not all Summer Wine® Ninebarks are the same.

Be sure to get superior flowering shrubs, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" flowering shrubs to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Summer Wine® Ninebarks in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that will explode with growth and blooms!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall flowering shrubs in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" shrub, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy shrub.

Summer Wine® Ninebark

Summer Wine® Ninebark brings bold wine-purple color and graceful, arching branches to your landscape- without a lot of maintenance.

  • Deep wine-purple foliage from spring through summer
  • White flower clusters in early summer that pop against the dark leaves
  • Fast-growing hedge: reaches 5-6 ft. tall and wide- plant 4-5 ft. apart for a colorful screen
  • Easy care: extremely cold hardy in zones 3-7 and needs very little pruning

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure plants including the pot and roots, so the plant you receive is much smaller than you expected. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!

You Want Summer Wine® Ninebarks Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship small, weak shrubs grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" plants struggle after planting and take longer to fill out and bloom well.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Summer Wine® Ninebarks, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means they settle in quickly and start adding rich purple color to your yard sooner.

Read more about the Summer Wine® Ninebark

Summer Wine® Ninebark: Rich Purple Color With Easy-Care Growth

Add bold color and natural beauty to your landscape with Summer Wine® Ninebark. This fast-growing shrub features deep wine-purple foliage and graceful, arching branches that give it a soft, flowing shape.

It is a great choice for homeowners who want strong color without a lot of maintenance. Use Summer Wine® Ninebark as a colorful accent, in a mixed border, along a foundation, or in a group for a dramatic hedge.

Why You'll Love Summer Wine® Ninebark

Deep Purple Foliage: Rich wine-colored leaves bring bold color to the landscape from spring through summer.

White Summer Flowers: Small clusters of white blooms appear in early summer and stand out beautifully against the dark foliage.

Fast-Growing Shrub: Summer Wine® Ninebark grows quickly, helping you add size, color, and structure to your landscape sooner.

Easy to Maintain: This durable shrub needs little pruning and handles many common landscape conditions well.

Great for Many Uses: Plant it as a specimen, in foundation beds, mixed borders, mass plantings, or as an informal hedge.

Beautiful Cut Branches: The colorful stems and foliage can also be used in fresh floral arrangements.

Bold Purple Foliage All Season Long

The biggest feature of Summer Wine® Ninebark is its rich purple foliage. The dark leaves add color even when the plant is not blooming, making it a great way to create contrast in garden beds.

Pair it with green shrubs, golden foliage, or bright flowers to make the deep purple color stand out even more.

White Flowers Add Early-Summer Contrast

In early summer, clusters of small white flowers appear along the branches. These soft blooms create a bright contrast against the dark leaves and add another layer of seasonal interest.

The flowers also give the shrub a lighter, more colorful look during the start of summer.

Where to Plant Summer Wine® Ninebark

Foundation Plantings: Use it near your home to add height, color, and structure to planting beds.

Mixed Borders: Combine it with flowering shrubs, perennials, and evergreens for strong color contrast.

Accent Plantings: Plant one Summer Wine® Ninebark as a focal point where you want bold purple foliage.

Hedges and Mass Plantings: Plant several together for a colorful screen, border, or large landscape display.

Commercial Landscapes: Its fast growth and low-maintenance nature also make it useful in larger landscape projects.

Summer Wine® Ninebark Light and Soil Needs

Sunlight: Plant Summer Wine® Ninebark in a sunny location for the strongest foliage color. It can also grow in some partial shade.

Soil: This adaptable shrub grows in many soil types as long as the site drains well.

Watering: Water regularly while the plant is getting established. Once established, it is a durable shrub that can handle normal landscape conditions with less attention.

Low-Maintenance Growth With a Natural Shape

Summer Wine® Ninebark grows with graceful, arching branches and usually needs very little pruning to look attractive.

If pruning is needed, light shaping can help keep the plant at the size and form you want. Its natural shape works especially well in relaxed, cottage-style, and mixed landscapes.

Easy Color for Home and Commercial Landscapes

If you want a shrub that delivers deep purple foliage, bright white flowers, fast growth, and simple care, Summer Wine® Ninebark is an excellent choice.

It brings strong color to the landscape without needing constant attention, making it a dependable option for both new and experienced gardeners.

Plant Summer Wine® Ninebark for rich color, graceful growth, and easy landscape beauty season after season.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Summer Wine® Ninebark

How big does Summer Wine Ninebark get?

Summer Wine Ninebark grows about 5 to 6 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. It has graceful, arching branches that create a soft, flowing shape. That size makes it a strong accent, foundation plant, or informal hedge in home and commercial landscapes.

How fast does Summer Wine Ninebark grow?

Summer Wine Ninebark is a fast-growing shrub. It adds size, color, and structure to your landscape sooner than many slower shrubs. Regular watering during its first season helps it establish strong roots so it can put on vigorous growth. It is a good pick when you want quick results.

What color are Summer Wine Ninebark leaves?

Summer Wine Ninebark has deep wine-purple foliage that brings bold color from spring through summer. The dark leaves add contrast even when the plant is not blooming. Pair it with green shrubs, golden foliage, or bright flowers to make the purple stand out.

When does Summer Wine Ninebark bloom?

Summer Wine Ninebark blooms in early summer with small clusters of white flowers along its branches. The soft blooms create bright contrast against the dark purple leaves and add another layer of seasonal interest to the shrub. The flowers give the shrub a lighter look at the start of summer.

What zones does Summer Wine Ninebark grow in?

Summer Wine Ninebark grows in USDA zones 3 through 7. It is extremely cold hardy and handles harsh northern winters well. In the warmer end of its range, steady moisture during summer helps it stay healthy and colorful. It is a great pick for gardeners in colder regions.

Does Summer Wine Ninebark need full sun?

Yes, Summer Wine Ninebark does best in full sun, which brings out the strongest purple foliage color. It can grow in some partial shade, but the leaves may turn greener and less dramatic. Aim for at least six hours of direct sun.

Can Summer Wine Ninebark be used as a hedge?

Yes, Summer Wine Ninebark makes a colorful informal hedge or screen. Plant several about 4 to 5 feet apart so the arching branches grow together. Its fast growth helps the hedge fill in quickly, and its purple foliage adds strong color along property lines.

Does Summer Wine Ninebark need pruning?

Summer Wine Ninebark usually needs very little pruning to look attractive. If needed, prune lightly after flowering to shape it or remove a few older stems at the base. This keeps the plant at your preferred size while preserving its natural, arching form.

Can you use Summer Wine Ninebark in flower arrangements?

Yes, Summer Wine Ninebark stems and foliage make beautiful cut branches for fresh floral arrangements. The deep purple leaves add rich color and texture to bouquets. Cutting a few stems also doubles as light pruning for the shrub. Place cut stems in water right away for the best vase life.

Which states can Summer Wine Ninebark not ship to?

Summer Wine Ninebark cannot be shipped to Oregon (OR), Arizona (AZ), or California (CA) due to state plant regulations. Gardeners in those states should choose a colorful shrub that is permitted where they live. Customers in all other states can order it as usual.
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