Plant in spring or early fall to give plants the best start.
Choose a location that will allow roots to spread and branches to grow freely. Space plants far enough from building foundations, walls, and decks so that the growing foliage won’t crowd the structure. Consider whether tall trees or shrubs will block windows or interfere with the roof or power lines.
To prepare the planting area dig a hole as deep as the root ball and three times as wide. After removing the soil, mix it with some compost or peat moss. This enriches the soil and loosens the existing dirt so that new roots can spread easily.
To remove the plant from the container, gently brace the base of the plant, tip it sideways and tap the outside of the pot to loosen. Rotate the container and continue to tap, loosening the soil until the plant pulls smoothly from the pot. The container can also be removed by carefully cutting it down the side.
Set the plant in the hole. If the root ball is wrapped in burlap fabric this must now be removed along with any string or wire securing the burlap. If roots are tightly packed gently rake them apart with your fingers.
Return the soil to the planting area packing it firmly around the root ball. Fill the hole until the soil line is just at the base of the plant, where the roots begin to flare out from the main stem.
Water the plant well then add a 2” (5cm) layer of mulch, such as shredded bark, around the planting area. Keep the mulch at least 4” (10cm) away from the trunk of the plant as this can keep the bark too moist and cause it to decay.
I prefer the delicate, diminutive bright green of the leaves of the dwarf ninebark to the colored versions which everyone seems to like. I had a hedge of them, and it was an actual hedge, about 5′ tall, within 3 years, planted 2 1/2″ a part.
If you have an artistic sense you will appreciate the gentle waterfall effect of it’s branching, the clear green of it’s beautiful little leaves, the really cute small pom-pom white flower heads and later the pink seed pods and salmony yellowy orangy fall color. If you have one they are easy to propagate by layering, just bend a long branch down to the ground, make a small nik underneath with a sharp blade, bury it under a couple inches of soil, peg it down with something to hold it in place, put the rest of the branch so it will grow upwards, and give it a year to grow roots then cut the umbilical cord and replant it.
I just bought a house with an enormous diable ninebark that I detest. I find all the dark purply and brownish leaves depressing and hard to fit into a landscape without color clashes which everyone else seems to like. I will say this about ninebarks as I have cut this diablo back over and over and over- they can take a beating and keep going. It is, sadly, much healthier today after being cut back extremely many times. I have just planted a new dwarf ninebark hedge in my new house and await my new spritely green “ordinary” and delightful little leaves next year.
Hi Robin,
Thank you for sharing your experience with ninebark shrubs. We’re sure others will find your observations helpful when deciding whether to plant ninebarks in their landscape.