Can Ninebark Grow In A Container? These Varieties Are Ideal

If you love growing native plants in your container garden, you probably like to look for species or cultivars that are a little more compact in growth, to make them easier to maintain. While you might already have a stunning ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) shrub out in your yard, you most likely think that this native species is a little too large for container growing.  In fact, this fast-growing privacy shrub that pollinators will flock to in your yard can reach a height of 8 feet and an even larger spread of up to 10 feet. Lucky for you, there are a few varieties that have a slightly smaller growth habit. For example, 'Summer Wine' and 'Panther' are particularly ideal selections for growing in pots.

'Summer Wine' is quite a compact deciduous shrub, growing to a height of 4 feet and a maximum width of 6 feet. The branches have a lovely spreading and arching habit, so this variety will handle growing in a large pot quite well, in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8. What's most attractive about this plant is that it will provide you with year-round interest. The wine red leaves make a nice contrast to other plants you have growing, and you'll also appreciate the small clusters of creamy-pink blooms that appear in late spring. Of course, in winter, the shrub really shines as it presents you with beautiful exfoliating bark to add even more appeal in the colder months.

Another compact cultivar is 'Panther', which only grows to a height of 5 feet with a much more diminutive spread of 3 feet. This hybrid has particularly dark purple foliage, which is quite eye-catching. The plant also has small, pinkish flowers from spring to summer. For something completely different, you might want to take a look at the lemon candy ninebark 'Podaras 3'. You'll find that this variety is quite distinct from the others in that it has bright yellow foliage and a multi-stemmed growth habit. However, it's relatively compact, reaching a height and width of under 3 feet. As ninebarks produce flowers and berries, you'll find that these shrubs will attract birds to your yard, even when grown in containers.

If you want to grow one of these ninebark varieties in a container, choose a large pot that's at least 24 inches in diameter and has plenty of drainage holes. Use a quality potting mix and place your shrub in a nice sunny spot. Although these plants are fairly drought tolerant when planted out in the garden, your container-grown specimen will need regular watering to help it look its best. You can trim your plant just after it's finished flowering in late summer, but remember that it blooms on old wood. This is why ninebark can be considered as one of those beautiful garden plants that you don't ever have to worry about pruning, if you don't want to.