{"product_id":"first-editions-little-devil-ninebark","title":"First Editions Little Devil Ninebark","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Dwarf Burgundy Ninebark That Fits Where the Big Ones Don't\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Devil Ninebark (\u003cem\u003ePhysocarpus opulifolius\u003c\/em\u003e 'Donna May') packs the rich burgundy foliage and rugged toughness of native ninebark into a compact, 3–4 foot mound — perfect for smaller beds and tighter spaces. Fine-textured wine-purple leaves hold their color all season, joined by pinkish-white button flowers in early summer, and it's hardy to USDA zone 3 with almost no care. Whether you want a dark-foliage accent in a Maple Grove foundation bed, a compact color contrast in an Edina border, or an easy small shrub for a Woodbury entry, Little Devil delivers big shrub character on a small footprint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLittle Devil Ninebark Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePhysocarpus opulifolius\u003c\/em\u003e 'Donna May' (LITTLE DEVIL)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLittle Devil Ninebark, Dwarf Ninebark\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hrs) for the darkest foliage color; tolerates part sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Consistent moisture while establishing; quite adaptable once settled.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — exceptionally cold-hardy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable — tolerates Minnesota clay-loam, a wide pH range, and dry or moist sites.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — fine-textured, deep wine-burgundy, holds color all season\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBloom\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClusters of pinkish-white button flowers in early summer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to USDA zone 3 — one of the toughest landscape shrubs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNinebark (\u003cem\u003ePhysocarpus opulifolius\u003c\/em\u003e) is native to Minnesota; 'Donna May' is a dwarf selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLittle Devil Ninebark Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompact Dark-Foliage Accent\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts small size and deep burgundy leaves make Little Devil a season-long color accent for the front of a border, a foundation bed, or a tight entry where a full-size ninebark would be too big. It contrasts beautifully with chartreuse, silver, and gold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLow Hedge or Mass Planting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 3–4 feet, it makes a tidy low informal hedge or a sweep of dark color in a mass planting. Space plants about 3 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTough, Low-Maintenance Filler\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a native-derived shrub, it shrugs off clay, drought, heat, cold, and a wide pH range — a dependable, no-fuss filler for hard spots where you still want rich color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Little Devil Ninebark in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in \u003cstrong\u003espring (late April–May, after the ground thaws)\u003c\/strong\u003e for a full season of root establishment, or in \u003cstrong\u003eearly fall (late August–early October)\u003c\/strong\u003e while the soil is still warm. Get it in the ground at least six weeks before the ground freezes. Avoid mid-summer heat and never plant after mid-October or before spring thaw.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Little Devil Ninebark\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose a full-sun spot for the richest foliage color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig a hole twice the width of the root ball and just as deep, so the crown sits at or slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoosen heavy clay and mix in 20–30% compost; ninebark isn't fussy but appreciates decent drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the plant, backfill, firm gently, and water in thoroughly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace plants about 3 feet apart for a hedge or grouping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark, kept off the stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Little Devil Ninebark in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water deeply every 2–3 days. Month 1–2: about twice a week. Month 3–6: roughly weekly during active growth, easing off when rainfall is adequate. \u003cstrong\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes\u003c\/strong\u003e — usually late October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn established Little Devil is quite drought-tolerant, needing supplemental water mainly during extended dry spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Little Devil Ninebark survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — easily. It's rated to USDA zone 3 and is one of the toughest, most cold-hardy shrubs available, fully at home anywhere in the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from Summer Wine Ninebark?\u003c\/strong\u003e Same native toughness and dark foliage, but Little Devil stays smaller and more compact (3–4 feet vs. 5–6), making it the better choice for tight spaces and the front of the border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the burgundy color last all summer?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, especially in full sun. In too much shade the leaves green up, so give it good light for the deepest color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it tolerate clay soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — exceptionally well, along with dry sites and a wide pH range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShould I prune it?\u003c\/strong\u003e Very little needed thanks to its compact habit. Prune right after the early-summer bloom if you want to shape it, or take a harder rejuvenation cut in early spring if it gets leggy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer Wine Ninebark\u003c\/strong\u003e — a larger dark-leaved ninebark for bigger spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGinger Wine Ninebark\u003c\/strong\u003e — a ninebark with orange-to-burgundy foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFireside Ninebark\u003c\/strong\u003e — a ninebark with vivid multicolor foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJapanese White Spirea\u003c\/strong\u003e — a compact white-flowered shrub for contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePink Beauty Potentilla\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tough, long-blooming pink shrub.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Little Devil Ninebark Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a low informal hedge or dark mass planting, space Little Devil \u003cstrong\u003e3 feet apart\u003c\/strong\u003e (its own recommended spacing within the 3–4 ft mature spread):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (3 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13–14 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a front-of-border accent, plant in groups of 3 at 3 feet apart, or give a single plant a 4–5 foot circle in a foundation bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLittle Devil Ninebark Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine-textured wine-burgundy foliage emerges early and dark — no spring green-up phase — setting an instant color foundation for the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clusters of pinkish-white button flowers in early summer pop against the dark leaves and draw bees and butterflies; foliage holds its burgundy through heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaves deepen toward purple-bronze before dropping, with small reddish seed clusters adding late texture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e A dense, compact twiggy mound that takes zone 3 cold without dieback — no winter protection needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Drought-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/summer-wine-ninebark\"\u003eSummer Wine Ninebark\u003c\/a\u003e — the larger dark-leaved sibling for the back of the same border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ginger-wine-ninebark\"\u003eGinger Wine Ninebark\u003c\/a\u003e — orange-to-wine foliage that layers warmly beside Little Devil's deep burgundy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/first-editions-fireside-ninebark\"\u003eFirst Editions Fireside Ninebark\u003c\/a\u003e — vivid multicolor foliage for a full ninebark color study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/pink-beauty-potentilla\"\u003ePink Beauty Potentilla\u003c\/a\u003e — a tough, long-blooming pink companion that thrives in the same sunny, dry conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Little Devil Ninebark Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Devil thrives in full sun (where its burgundy stays darkest), handles clay, drought, and a wide pH range, and fits foundation beds, entries, and border fronts at just 3–4 feet — all with near-zero maintenance. Deer resistance is only moderate, so plan on repellent the first season in heavy-browse suburbs. Not a fit for shady spots — the foliage greens up and loses its main selling point, so choose a yew or hydrangea for those beds instead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54233663373617,"sku":null,"price":37.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54230599434545,"sku":null,"price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/First_Editons_Little_Devil_Ninebark_2.jpg?v=1779074424","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/first-editions-little-devil-ninebark","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}