About

A bushy shrub to 1.8m tall with dark purple foliage and pink-tinted white flowers in summer followed by purple fruit.

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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Suckering
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 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