I have a very hot and windy south west location here in Southern BC Canada....I want to plant some ninebark. One will go directly into ground and another, I want to keep in pots to keep it small. I have auto sprinkling system for them. Most of my small yard consists of dark rock and green yews and cedars. I want more colour but not sure which ninebark is right for me. I can handle annual trimming to keep things in control...as long as they don't gorw too quick nor too large. Pictures found on internet: Diablo and Coppertina have beautiful colour foilage, in the pictures. I have read Coppertina is bit smaller plant. One of those would go into ground. The Centre Glow and Summer Summer are also very interesting colours ...those I would put in pots. 1. will the ninebark survive the extreme heat we tend to get in summer? 2. would the extreme heat fade the colours? 3. is the type of soil indicative of the intensity of foilage colours? 4. want to know if all ninebarks will survive in pots during summer and over winter...or do I need to take the pots into my unheated garage. soon it will be time to buy and plant... hope someone will read this and be of some help. diablo ninebark ( photo / image / picture from cooky's Garden ) coppertina ninebark ( photo / image / picture from cooky's Garden ) centre glow ninebark ( photo / image / picture from cooky's Garden ) summer wine ninebark ( photo / image / picture from cooky's Garden )
I am in zone 5/6(Not really sure which, now) but I have two of them. They do tend to grow pretty fast. I just trim mine back fairly hard after they get done flowering. I am not sure about keeping one in a pot. I would think putting it in an unheated garage would be more helpful than hurtful. It won't affect it any if the soil mass freezes, but if it dries out and freezes that would harm it, maybe even kill it, so watch carefully if you leave it outside in a pot, or better yet, dig a hole and "plant" and mulch in the pot for the winter to keep it from blowing over and drying out. then in the spring pull the pot out of its hole and place it where you want it. Trim as needed. Heat doesn't seem to fade mine. I don't check the Ph of the soil, either. Sorry on that. I have one growing in a flowerbed and one in the lawn and do nothing special to either of them.
Carolyn, thanks for replying so quickly.... which ones do you have that have fast growth? when you say you cut back after the flowering...you mean just the part of the branch that had flowers on it. the rest will develop those beautiful colourful leaves...right? I live in zone 7b...so maybe growth in pots may be doable...if i place them up near the house.
you are a bit warmer than here, so I would think you can leave them out over the winter. Just don't let them dry out. I am sorry I can't tell you what variety I have, I had not heard of ninebark until I saw it planted in a neighbors new flower bed...I purchased what I found at a local supplier...probably Lowes. When I cut mine back I really chop it back and remove the largest stems since I don't want it huge. It doesn't seem to spread out fast, just tall fast. I will try to find a tag, but don't hold your breathe waiting on me... I most likely don't have one.
I have a 'Coppertina' in full sun in my zone 5 yard and it is not bothered by the heat in the slightest. I really can't advise on keeping one in a pot, but I don't think it would be too happy, especially once the roots filled in... Hard to keep watered.
yay!!!! I did find the tag. Burgundy Star Ninebark Hardy:zones 3-7 Bloom time:late spring early summer Average size: 6'x6' ( I don't think this would really be suitable for a pot) Light: full sun Water: dry to medium well drained soil Add a 3-4" layer if mulch to reduce weeds and conserve moisture, and protect the roots during cold weather. Fertilize: 10-10-10 according to package directions I think I would not try this variety in a pot. I think you would need to check the particular growth habit of each variety, but they seem to spread fairly wide and mine has a huge woody "trunk" at the base.
Carolyn thanks....you did all this hunting for the tag for me. you are great! but now you know you have it for your own reference. thanks for your ideas about keeping in pots. AND thanks for your comment Netty about not keeping in pots. I had asked the woman at garden centre and she said oh yes, that they keep them in pots on their grounds outdoors all season long..just keep them clipped back.some are 7 or 8 yrs old. but of course, she did not say that once someone bought one..it probably went into the ground. so I will have to investigate as to particular growth habit for one that I want to keep in pot.
