{"product_id":"summer-wine-ninebark","title":"Summer Wine Ninebark","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Tough, Native-Derived Shrub With Wine-Dark Foliage and Pink Flowers\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummer Wine Ninebark (\u003cem\u003ePhysocarpus opulifolius\u003c\/em\u003e 'Seward') is a refined, compact selection of our rugged native ninebark, with deep wine-purple, fine-textured foliage and clusters of pinkish-white button flowers in early summer. It's about as tough and cold-hardy as a shrub gets — zone 3, adaptable to clay, sun-loving, and practically care-free. Whether you want a dark-foliage anchor in a Maple Grove border, a hardy color contrast in an Edina bed, or a low-maintenance shrub for a tough Woodbury spot, Summer Wine delivers season-long structure and color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSummer Wine 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 'Seward' (SUMMER WINE)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSummer Wine Ninebark, Ninebark\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–6 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–6 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to fast\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-purple, 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, followed by reddish seed clusters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Interest\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExfoliating (\"ninebark\") bark adds texture in winter\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 and eastern North America; 'Seward' is a refined selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSummer Wine Ninebark Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDark-Foliage Anchor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe deep wine-purple, fine-textured leaves make Summer Wine a season-long color anchor in a mixed border, contrasting beautifully with chartreuse, silver, or gold foliage and bright flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTough, Low-Maintenance Shrub\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a native-derived shrub, it shrugs off clay, drought, heat, cold, and a wide pH range — a dependable choice for hard sites where you want color without fuss. Great for naturalized and pollinator-friendly plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInformal Hedge or Screen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 5–6 feet, it makes a handsome informal hedge or screen with dark foliage and early-summer bloom. Space plants about 4–5 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Summer Wine 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 Summer Wine 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 4–5 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 Summer Wine 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 Summer Wine is quite drought-tolerant, needing supplemental water mainly during extended dry spells. It's one of the lowest-maintenance shrubs you can plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Summer Wine 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 landscape shrubs available, fully at home anywhere in the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — ninebark (\u003cem\u003ePhysocarpus opulifolius\u003c\/em\u003e) is a Minnesota native. 'Seward' (Summer Wine) is a refined, more compact selection bred for dark foliage and a tidy habit, so it brings native toughness with ornamental polish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the purple foliage 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 wine 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, which is why it's such a dependable problem-solver shrub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShould I prune it?\u003c\/strong\u003e Optional. Prune right after the early-summer bloom if you want to shape it; it also takes a hard renewal cut in early spring if it gets leggy. Its exfoliating bark adds winter interest, so a light hand keeps that on display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Editions Little Devil Ninebark\u003c\/strong\u003e — a dwarf burgundy ninebark for smaller 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\u003ePink Dynamo Hydrangea\u003c\/strong\u003e — a compact hydrangea with white-to-pink blooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Shadow Fothergilla\u003c\/strong\u003e — a blue-foliage shrub with spring flowers and brilliant fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmooth Sumac\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tough native shrub with brilliant red fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Summer Wine Ninebark Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummer Wine matures around 5–6 feet wide, so space plants about 5 feet apart for an informal hedge or screen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHedge Run\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlants Needed (5 ft spacing)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2\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 or color anchor, plant singly or in groups of 3 spaced about 5 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSummer Wine Ninebark Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine-textured wine-purple leaves push out, giving the border early dark-foliage color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clusters of pinkish-white button flowers open in early summer and give way to reddish seed clusters; the foliage holds deep wine-purple in full sun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The dark foliage carries late-season color in the border before leaf drop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exfoliating \"ninebark\" bark peels in papery layers for cold-season texture and structure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ 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\/first-editions-little-devil-ninebark\"\u003eFirst Editions Little Devil Ninebark\u003c\/a\u003e — a dwarf burgundy ninebark that echoes the wine foliage in tighter spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ginger-wine-ninebark\"\u003eGinger Wine Ninebark\u003c\/a\u003e — orange-to-burgundy foliage for a warmer color partner.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/pink-dynamo-hydrangea\"\u003ePink Dynamo Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — white-to-pink panicles that pop against the dark leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-shadow-fothergilla\"\u003eBlue Shadow Fothergilla\u003c\/a\u003e — blue foliage and brilliant fall color for cool contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Summer Wine Ninebark Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummer Wine thrives in full sun and average to well-drained soil, shrugging off Minnesota clay, heat, drought, and cold once established — ideal for a tough, sunny border or low-care informal screen where you want season-long dark foliage. It's not the best fit for deep shade, where the purple leaves green out, or for high-deer-pressure yards without some protection, since deer browse it only moderately.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54233671696689,"sku":null,"price":43.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54230599860529,"sku":null,"price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 TF","offer_id":54233671729457,"sku":null,"price":178.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Summer_Wine_Ninebark_2.jpg?v=1779074414","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/summer-wine-ninebark","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}