 |
| Tine Wine® Physocarpus |
It's hopefully extra happy for us, as the rain has cleared and we can dig into the dirt all weekend!
I mentioned on Monday that I had been in Iowa last week. So before I get to the Plant of the Week, which is Tiny Wine® ninebark (pictured right) I wanted to share a couple of pics I took in the Better Homes & Gardens test garden.
I'm lucky I have an "in" there since, although it is open to the public, it doesn't officially open for a couple of weeks. It was fun to see the gardens waking up and the tulips all in their glory. Very different from my trip there last June when the bulbs were done blooming and other plants were capturing the spotlight.
The Helleborus were also in full bloom and absolutely gorgeous, as were many other plants like Sunjoy® Citrus Berberis! Click here for my online photo album that contains all the pictures.
Now, as promised, here is Jane's Plant of the Week:
 |
| Tiny Wine® Physocarpus |
There are a couple of requirements: Physocarpus likes full sun, and is really more of a northern plant than a southern one. (We recommend zones 3-7).
Physocarpus is a fantastic plant for exposed sites. Windy conditions that tear up other plants are just what ninebark likes. Good air circulation will help keep away the powdery mildew that the species is prone to getting. Note that the Tiny Wine® Physocarpus were selected for their resistance to powdery mildew.
The original Tiny Wine® Physocarpus has dark purple foliage and pink spring flowers. A few years ago we introduced Tiny Wine® Gold, which has yellow leaves and white flowers.
Both grow 3-5' tall and wide and have dainty leaves that offer a more refined texture than many other varieties do.
 |
| Tiny Wine® Gold Physocarpus |
Physocarpus opulifolius is a useful native species that will thrive in conditions that test many other plants: drought, crummy soil, erosion - no problem. The next time someone asks you for a low-maintenance plant with lots of color, give ninebark a try!
Grab some popcorn.
If you need to relax a for a few seconds (30, to be exact), here's a short video highlighting Tiny Wine® Physocarpus.
Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles
