Tiny Wine Ninebark
Tiny Wine Ninebark
A Compact Native Shrub With Rich Wine-Purple Foliage
Tiny Wine Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Tiny Wine') brings the bold burgundy foliage and toughness of native ninebark to a refined, compact shrub that fits smaller gardens. Fine-textured wine-purple leaves clothe arching branches, accented by white-and-pink button flowers in late spring, with exfoliating bark for winter interest. Adaptable, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, it's a versatile dark-foliage shrub for foundations and borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Tiny Wine Ninebark Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Physocarpus opulifolius 'Tiny Wine' |
| Mature Size | 3–5 ft. tall, 3–5 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 wine-purple 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 | Compact selection of native ninebark |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Compact dark-foliage shrub: Its smaller, refined size suits foundations, low hedges, and tighter borders. Space 3–4 feet apart.
Native, pollinator, and four-season interest: Spring flowers feed pollinators and the 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 Tiny Wine 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 3–4 feet apart. Full sun gives the darkest foliage.
Watering Tiny Wine 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 is it different from full-size ninebark?
Tiny Wine is more compact and finer-textured, fitting smaller gardens while keeping the rich wine foliage and toughness.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — hardy well below Twin Cities lows.
Q: Is it native?
Yes — it's a compact selection of native ninebark.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer rarely browse ninebark.
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Darkstar Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius): A full-size dark-burgundy ninebark.
Amber Jubilee Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius): A glowing gold-orange ninebark.
Glow Girl Spirea (Spiraea): A gold-foliage shrub for contrast.