It's Monday and it's March... that means March Madness is upon us. And here in the plant world, Shrub Madness has taken over. Last week was the first week of voting, and plants like Invincibelle Wee White® hydrangea, Incrediball® Blush hydrangea, are leading the pack. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like my favorite, Winecraft Black® Cotinus, will make it through the first round. But hey, there are still plenty of amazing plants to root for!
Let your voice be heard! You can join the fun by registering at ShrubMadness.com and clicking on "Play Shrub Madness" in the website header. Once you're registered, you can vote daily for your favorite shrubs in head-to-head matchups. Prizes are given away to registered voters throughout the competition - click here for more information.
Now, let's learn about a brand new ninebark that will be hitting garden centers next year. This new variety is a striking color and couldn't be easier to grow. (And its name is coincidentally very similar to my Shrub Madness favorite!) Read on for more info and I'll be back next week.
- Natalie
Homegrown Hero
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| Summer Wine® Black ninebark |
Bring on the sun, the wind, and the rain. Okay, you don't need the rain so much, but a dramatic thunderstorm won't slow this plant down. Crummy soil, including clay, is okay, too.
What this plant doesn't like is poor air circulation, so avoid planting it where it is in tight spaces. That narrow spot between houses in a subdivision? Probably not a great idea. A hedge along the roadside? Perfect.
Physocarpus opulifolius is native to much of North America; it's great to see our native genera hold their own as ornamentals.
Summer Wine® Physocarpus is a colorful, durable choice for colder climates that looks nice in a container. The dark burgundy foliage is very dramatic, but we wanted to go even bolder.
Enter Summer Wine® Black. Its foliage is even darker purple-black and has good resistance to powdery mildew. When selecting new Physocarpus varieties we are paying attention to disease resistance as much as we are aesthetics.
Summer Wine® Black ninebark is hardy down to USDA Zone 3 and will grow best in full sun. It gets 5-6' tall and wide. Available in better garden centers in spring, 2019.
Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles
