Physocarpus opulifolius 'Raspberry Lemonade' (Ninebark) – Colour Changing Shrub (3L Pot)

Physocarpus 'Raspberry Lemonade' is a ninebark whose leaves change colour as they age, opening lemon yellow and lime green and maturing to raspberry red.

Because the new growth keeps coming, the shrub carries all those tones at once, which gives it a livelier look than the plain purple ninebarks. Clusters of small white to pale pink flowers open in late spring and early summer and bring bees and butterflies in. The plant is compact and bushy at one and a half to one and three quarter metres each way.

It is fully hardy, unfussy about soil including clay, and easy to place: a mixed border, an informal hedge or a large container all suit it. Plant it in full sun, where the colours are strongest. In partial shade it still grows well but the yellows go greener.

Water it through its first summer while it roots in, and mulch in spring. Prune after flowering if it needs shaping, and it will take a hard cut back if it ever gets tired. Supplied as an established plant in a 3L pot.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Ninebark
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 1.5 to 1.8m tall by 1.5 to 1.8m wide
• Growth Habit: Bushy, compact, upright deciduous shrub
• Perfect For: Mixed borders, shrub planting, informal hedging, containers and specimen planting
• Foliage: Lemon yellow and lime green new leaves maturing to raspberry red
• Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer, clusters of small white to pale pink flowers
• Planting Position: Full sun for the best leaf colour, or partial shade. Fully hardy and fine on clay.
• Soil Type: Most well drained soils, including clay
• Hardiness: Fully hardy right across Britain
• Maintenance: Low. Prune after flowering if needed. It tolerates hard pruning.
• Seasonal Interest: Spring, summer and autumn
• Type: Hardy deciduous shrub