Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' (Summer Wine ninebark) care

Light

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Full sun yields the darkest, most uniform burgundy foliage and the densest habit; shade fades the colour to bronze-green and loosens the plant. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine' weekly while establishing; every 1-2 weeks in dry spells once mature. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Keep evenly moist the first season to settle it in. Established plants tolerate drought and brief wetness alike, but consistent moisture supports the best colour and form.

Soil and pot

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' grows best in adaptable — clay, loam or sand; acid to neutral preferred. Grows in almost any soil, including clay, and copes with short wet spells. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral ground; very alkaline soil can cause chlorosis. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' sits happiest at around Ambient outdoor humidity and -37 to 32°C (-35 to 90°F). A hardy outdoor shrub with no humidity needs; ordinary garden air suits it. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine' sparingly. Light feeder. A spring mulch or single balanced slow-release feed is enough; go easy on nitrogen to keep growth firm and reduce mildew. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Powdery mildew — Ninebarks are mildew-prone; expect white film and distorted tips in humid, crowded sites. This compact form has good resistance but still benefits from airflow and base watering.
• Colour loss in shade — Low light turns the wine-red leaves dull green. Site in full sun to hold the deep colour.
• Crowding over time — Its dense habit can become congested. Thin the oldest stems and prune lightly after flowering to keep it shapely.
• Chlorosis on chalk — Interveinal yellowing on strongly alkaline soils. Enrich with organic matter or pick a lime-tolerant alternative on chalky ground.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn. As a patented cultivar ('Seward') it is grown vegetatively and propagation for sale is restricted by plant patent; seed will not reproduce the foliage colour. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' is mildly toxic to pets. Physocarpus opulifolius is not individually listed on the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant lists, nor classed as toxic by the USDA, but the bark is reported to cause vomiting or diarrhoea if eaten by dogs or cats. Treat with caution and verify with a vet if a pet ingests a quantity. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' watering schedule
• Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' light requirements
• Best soil mix for physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine'
• Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' fertilizing guide
• When to repot physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine'
• How to propagate physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine'
• Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' growth rate & size
• Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' cold hardiness
• Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' temperature & humidity
• Is physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine' toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine' toxic to cats?
• Is physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine' toxic to dogs?
• Getting physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine' to bloom

Featured in these plant shortlists

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
• Best flowering houseplants — Indoor plants grown for their blooms — selected from the flowering species in Growli’s plant-care library.
• Best houseplants for full sun — Houseplants that want direct sun — the species for a hot south or west-facing windowsill where shade-lovers scorch.
• Best houseplants for a cool room — Houseplants that tolerate cool conditions down to about 10°C — for an unheated spare room, hallway, porch or a home kept cool.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' is also commonly called Summer Wine ninebark or compact purple ninebark.

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