Planting Ninebark
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is an attractive flowering shrub that, once established, is relatively easy to care for. This deciduous shrub has a cascading form and delicate clusters of white or pink blooms in the spring. It can be grown as a specimen plant or massed with other plants to create a dramatic look in the garden. With proper planting and maintenance, ninebark will provide years of beauty to your landscape.
Propagating Ninebark
Ninebark can be propagated from both seeds and cuttings; however, cuttings are generally more successful than seeds due to their higher rate of germination. To propagate by cuttings:
1. Select healthy stems from early summer until fall when preparing your cutting material. Cut at least 4-inch sections from new growth that has not yet flowered and use sharp pruning shears or scissors when making cuts so as not to damage existing plants near the stem you’re taking the cutting from.
2. Remove all leaves except those near the tip of each cutting and dip them into rooting hormone powder if desired; this helps speed up root formation later on down the line but is not essential for success.
3. Fill individual pots with moist peat moss or potting soil mix – whichever provides better drainage – then place your prepared ninebark stem(s) inside each one so they stand upright on their own accord before filling any remaining space around them with additional mixture as needed for support if necessary/desired . Make sure there’s adequate air circulation around each stem too!
4 . Place pots outdoors in partial shade where they will receive some morning sun but still stay cool enough throughout most hours of daylight so roots don’t get scorched during hot spells (elevated spots work well here). Watering should also be done sparingly since excessive moisture can lead problems like fungal diseases later on down the road – just keep soil consistently damp instead for best results year round!
5 . After about two months have passed, take note when new growth begins appearing near base area(s) indicating successful propagation took place – congratulations! Transplant rooted ninebarks into larger containers filled with good quality potting soil mix afterwards while allowing plenty room between each one during placement phase too ; eventually these baby shrubs will need permanent homes either indoors /outdoors depending upon what type environment they were originally propagated under before being transplanted out elsewhere such as someone’s backyard flower bed etc ! Enjoy =).
