About
A compact bushy shrub to around 50cm high, with an upright habit and small, dark green, lobed and toothed leaves flushed with dark reddish-purple. Rounded clusters of small pink and white flowers are produced in early 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, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in neutral to acidic, humus-rich soil, and foliage colours are more pronounced in full sun. Will tolerate alkaline soils but may become chlorotic on shallow chalk
PruningPruning group 1 or 2. If thinning or cutting back is required, this should be done soon after flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in summer, or by division, removing rooted offsets in autumn or spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus