Physocarpus opulifolius 'Dart's Gold'
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DART'S GOLD NINEBARK
Family: Rosaceae
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Shrubs.
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Mature size: Height: 6 feet (2 m). Width: 8 feet (2.5 m).
Flowering period: Early summer.
Flowering attributes: Corymbs of white flowers with tinges of pink.
Leaf attributes: Ovate, three-lobed, toothed, yellow leaves that have a bronze tint in the fall.
Light: Full sun or partial shade.
Soil: Acidic, fertile, moist, but well-drained soil.
Feeding: Side dressing of compost in spring and deep watering during our drought season.
Propagation Methods: Greenwood cuttings in summer with bottom heat. | Dig up rooted suckers in spring or fall.
Pruning Methods: Prune right after flowering to remove crossed branches or dead wood. Thin out overcrowded stems by cutting them back to ground level. Prune only a 1/3 of the shrub to keep the exfoliating bark on the older branches.
Rainy Side Notes
Physocarpus comes from the Greek words physo and karpon, physo meaning a bladder and karpon a fruit, referring to its fruits. Deciduous yellow leaves and exfoliating bark are a good reason to grow this shrub. In spring the leaves return, decked out in eye-catching, cheery, golden-yellow hues. Later in summer, the foliage ages to a quieter lime-green, and in autumn, its greenery shifts back to yellow with an overlay of bronzy-red.
Once the shrub casts off its leaves, the exfoliating bark presents another season of interest . Although this shrub can take pruning to keep it smaller, it comes into full glory when allowed to grow naturally. It isn’t necessary to prune every year; however, a light pruning every few years can enhance its natural shape while retaining the exfoliating bark.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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