About

A deciduous dark-leaved shrub to 2m tall and wide. Young foliage is a bright red and matures to darker shades of red, purple, bronze and brown with pinkish-white clusters of flowers borne in summer.

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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-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 acidic, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil. Will tolerate alkaline conditions, but chlorosis may occur on shallow chalk
PruningPruning group 2
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in summer or pot up suckers in the autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus