I hate to keep going on and on about fall colors but as we await the big change of seasons, I can't help but want to share some of the more notable plants around me.
This one is Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolious), which is native to this region, and the cultivar is 'Summer Wine.'
All summer long, the leaves were a deep purplish burgundy and made a nice backdrop to one of our perennial beds. But over the past few weeks, the leaves have turned a glorious, fiery red. Isn't this one a stunner?
'Summer Wine' Ninebark is supposed to be shorter than the standard Ninebark, growing from 5 to 6 feet tall. It prefers plenty of sun, is easy to grow, and is drought-tolerant once it has become established. It has an upright growth habit and is deciduous so the leaves should be dropping off any day now.
I bought mine a couple of years ago from Blue Moon Nursery, 1723 S. Inland Empire Way, Spokane.
