About
A vigorous shrub with young leaves in shades of gold and russet-orange before turning green in summer and purple in autumn. White flowers, tinged pink, are borne in dense clusters along the stems in early summer. Green fruits, tinged red, usually follow in autumn.
About the genus
Physocarpus are bushy deciduous suckering shrubs with palmately lobed leaves and corymbs of small cream flowers in early summer, followed by small, bladdery brown fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitSuckering
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in neutral to acidic, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil. Chlorosis may occur if grown in shallow chalky soil
PruningPruning group 1 or pruning group 2. Remove older stems and thin to show off colourful young stems to best effect. Cut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in summer or propagate by rooted suckers in autumn or spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus