{"product_id":"darkstar-ninebark","title":"Darkstar Ninebark","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Native Shrub With Dark Burgundy Foliage and Four-Season Interest\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDarkstar Ninebark (\u003cem\u003ePhysocarpus opulifolius\u003c\/em\u003e 'Darkstar') is a tough Minnesota-native shrub grown for its rich, deep burgundy-black foliage that holds color all season, clusters of white-to-pink spring flowers, red seed heads, and handsome exfoliating bark for winter interest. Adaptable, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, it's a bold, low-care anchor for sunny borders and foundations in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDarkstar Ninebark Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhysocarpus opulifolius 'Darkstar'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–6 ft. tall, 4–6 ft. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade (darkest foliage in full sun)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate spring into early summer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite to pink, over dark burgundy foliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable — tolerates clay, poor soil, and a range of moisture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F — a tough native\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed by deer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Status\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelection of native ninebark\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDark foliage anchor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its deep burgundy leaves provide season-long contrast in borders and foundations. Space 4–6 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative, pollinator, and four-season interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring flowers feed pollinators, red seed heads follow, and exfoliating bark adds winter texture. Pair with gold-foliage shrubs and native perennials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September). Very adaptable; water through establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Darkstar Ninebark\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Space 4–6 feet apart. Full sun gives the darkest foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Darkstar Ninebark\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant — water during dry spells. Prune after flowering to shape, or cut back hard to renew if it gets leggy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it native?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — ninebark is a Minnesota native, and Darkstar is a dark-leaved selection valued for foliage and wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasily — hardy well below Twin Cities lows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What is the winter interest?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts bark peels in papery layers (the \"nine bark\"), adding texture to the winter landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — deer rarely browse ninebark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmber Jubilee Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius):\u003c\/strong\u003e A glowing gold-orange ninebark for contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTiny Wine Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius):\u003c\/strong\u003e A compact wine-purple ninebark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGlow Girl Spirea (Spiraea):\u003c\/strong\u003e A gold-foliage shrub to set off the dark leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Darkstar Ninebark Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor an informal hedge or privacy run, space Darkstar about 5 feet apart — at 4–6 feet of mature spread, plants merge into a dense burgundy wall:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (5 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a specimen, give a single plant a 6-foot circle; for a bold border anchor, plant a group of 3 spaced 5 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDarkstar Ninebark Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep burgundy-black leaves unfurl, followed in late spring by button-like clusters of white-to-pink flowers buzzing with native bees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage holds its near-black color through the heat (darkest in full sun) while red seed heads replace the spent blooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seed heads persist and the dark leaves deepen before dropping to reveal the branch structure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Papery, exfoliating bark peels in cinnamon layers — the \"nine barks\" — giving real texture against snow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/amber-jubilee-ninebark\"\u003eAmber Jubilee Ninebark\u003c\/a\u003e — glowing gold-orange foliage for a dramatic dark-light ninebark pairing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/tiny-wine-ninebark\"\u003eTiny Wine Ninebark\u003c\/a\u003e — a compact wine-purple echo for the front of the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/glow-girl-spirea\"\u003eGlow Girl Spirea\u003c\/a\u003e — bright gold foliage that makes the burgundy leaves look even darker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — upright wheat-gold plumes for movement beside the dark mass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Darkstar Ninebark Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fit for sunny borders, foundations, and tough sites in nearly any soil — clay included — where you want native value, deer resistance, and bold foliage contrast with almost no care. Not a fit for deep shade: the burgundy foliage fades toward green and the habit gets leggy without at least half a day of sun.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54312994144561,"sku":null,"price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/darkstar-ninebark.jpg?v=1779727885","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/darkstar-ninebark","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}