Summer Wine Black Ninebark
Summer Wine Black Ninebark
The Darkest Ninebark: Near-Black Foliage on a Native Shrub
Summer Wine Black Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine Black') is among the darkest-leaved ninebarks — deeply saturated near-black foliage on a fine-textured, upright-arching shrub, accented by clusters of white-pink button flowers in late spring. Bred from our tough native ninebark, it offers dramatic season-long color, pollinator value, and exfoliating winter bark. Adaptable and deer-resistant, it's a bold dark anchor for borders and foundations in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Summer Wine Black Ninebark Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine Black' |
| Mature Size | 5–6 ft. tall, 4–5 ft. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade (darkest foliage in full sun) |
| Bloom Time | Late spring into early summer |
| Flower Color | White to pink, over near-black foliage |
| Soil | Adaptable — tolerates clay, poor soil, and a range of moisture |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to -40°F — a tough native |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer |
| Native Status | Selection of native ninebark |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Dramatic dark anchor: Its near-black foliage makes a striking focal point and contrast plant. Space 4–5 feet apart.
Native, pollinator, and four-season interest: Spring flowers feed pollinators and exfoliating bark adds winter texture. Pair with gold-foliage shrubs and native perennials.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September). Very adaptable; water through establishment.
How to Plant Summer Wine Black Ninebark
Dig 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 4–5 feet apart. Full sun gives the darkest foliage.
Watering Summer Wine Black Ninebark
First year: Water deeply every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Drought-tolerant — water during dry spells. Prune after flowering to shape.
Q: How dark is the foliage?
Among the darkest of any ninebark — a deep, near-black purple that holds all season in full sun.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — hardy well below Twin Cities lows.
Q: Is it native?
Yes — a dark-leaved selection of native ninebark.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer rarely browse ninebark.
You May Also Like
Diabolo Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius): The classic large purple-black ninebark.
Amber Jubilee Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius): A glowing gold-orange ninebark for contrast.
Glow Girl Spirea (Spiraea): A gold-foliage shrub to set off the dark leaves.
How Many Summer Wine Black Ninebark Do I Need?
At 5–6 ft tall and 4–5 ft wide, Summer Wine Black is usually used as a specimen or contrast anchor rather than a tight hedge. Space plants about 5 feet on center for an informal screen, or plant single specimens and groups of 3 to repeat the dark foliage through a border.
| Screen Run | Plants Needed (5 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 3 |
| 20 ft | 5 |
| 30 ft | 7 |
| 40 ft | 9 |
Summer Wine Black Ninebark Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Clusters of white-pink button flowers pop against the emerging near-black foliage, feeding bees and other pollinators.
- Summer: Deep, near-black purple leaves hold their saturated color all season in full sun.
- Fall: Dark foliage and reddish seed clusters carry the color late into the season.
- Winter: Bare stems reveal peeling, exfoliating bark for texture and structure above the snow.
At a Glance
✔ Minnesota Native ✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Dart's Gold Ninebark — a bright gold-foliage native ninebark that sets off the near-black leaves.
- Fireside Ninebark — a bold multicolor ninebark for a glowing contrast nearby.
- Ginger Wine Ninebark — ginger-orange new growth deepening to wine for a warm color echo.
- Little Devil Ninebark — a dwarf burgundy ninebark to repeat the dark theme at the front of the bed.
Is Summer Wine Black Ninebark Right for Your Yard?
This tough native selection thrives in full sun and adaptable soil — including clay and a range of moisture — and deer rarely bother it, making it a dependable dark anchor for borders and foundations. Not a fit for deep shade, where the foliage fades toward green and loses the near-black drama it's grown for; give it as much sun as you can.