How to Grow a Ninebark Shrub

The ninebark shrub is a wonderful addition to grow on your property. It boasts beautiful leaves in varying hues that range from yellow-orange, red and deep green. If you want to grow these shrubs in your garden or front yard, you will have to know how to properly care for them.

Ninebarks thrive best in hardiness zones 3 through 8. They bloom in the middle of the summer and sport attractive light pink flowers as well as red fruit in the late summer and fall. You should plant the shrub in a location that receives a good amount of full sunlight, although you won't have to fuss much over the soil. Ninebarks can thrive in both acidic and alkaline soils and are adaptable in many situations. Make sure to keep the soil moderately moist and never overly saturated. Mildew is something that can plague your ninebark shrubs if they are kept overly wet. Another good way to avoid this is to make sure it is planted in a well-ventilated spot.

This is a very fast growing plant that will add beauty to your garden or front yard. No doubt, you will experience passersby stopping for a few moments to admire the colorful shrubs. Generally speaking, you can expect your ninebark shrub to grow to about eight to 10 feet in height and between five and six feet wide. Pruning should be done not only to shape the shrub appropriately but to ensure the growth of new, healthy buds and branches. The best time to do this is after the blooming season, which means it can be done from the middle of June through the middle of August.

Give your ninebark plants plenty of fertilizer in the early spring. You should use a slow-release variety that is specifically meant for shrubs and trees. Make sure to follow the instructions that come with the fertilizer so that you know to administer the proper amount.