Ninebark is a distinctive, fast-growing, mounding shrub with wildlife value and a tough personality. It’s easily recognized by its white rounded clusters of yellow-centered flowers in late spring, three-lobed leaves, unusually shredded bark, and velvety red seed-like fruits in late summer and fall. Also known as eastern ninebark (western ninebark is native to the west coast), it ranges in height from 3 - 10 feet, with the mature size dependent upon soil fertility and moisture levels. It flowers the most in full sun, but is happy enough in part shade. Common Ninebark has "perfect flowers," which means both the male and female parts are on a single flower, however, two to three plants are recommended for reliable fruiting. The common name refers to the exfoliating bark that peels in thin strips as it matures to reveal several other layers of reddish to light-brown inner bark. Although usually hidden by foliage, the peeling branches enjoy their share of attention during the winter, as do the persisting seed capsules, until they are eventually eaten by birds.
 
Ninebark’s numerous cultivars--with foliage ranging from lime green to purple--are used more commonly than the native in landscaping. Unfortunately, cultivars with red or maroon leaves don’t support wildlife to the same extent as the straight native because the anthocyanins that provide the red hue are feeding deterrents. 
 
Common ninebark needs plenty of space and can tolerate regular pruning to maximize its arching branch pattern or control size. Prune branches by one-third after flowering to retain shape and improve air circulation. Older shrubs benefit from a rejuvenating pruning (close to the ground) before or during winter to encourage better leaf and flower growth. Plants can also be divided in early spring by chopping through the middle of the shrub with a sharp spade. 
 
Native habitats include stream banks, hillsides, rocky slopes, and damp thickets. Ninebark is useful massed as a hedge or screen and for stabilizing slopes and preventing erosion. It works well in native gardens and in mixed borders.  Spirea, wild rose and New Jersey tea are good choices for companion plants.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Most often grows 5-6' tall and 3-4' wide, but can vary between 3-10’ tall and 3-8’ wide, depending on site conditions.
 
Fruits best in full sun, but tolerates partial.
 
Grows best in moist, well-drained soil, but once established, adapts to wet, moist, medium, and dry moisture levels in a variety of soils, such as clay, loam, and sand. Tolerates occasional flooding and drought.
 
Blooms from May to June with white to off-white flowers on arching, cane-like branches. Flower clusters are 2-3” across. Each flower is up to ½” across with 5 white petals, yellow centers, and 20-40 long stamens. In mid- to late summer, flowers produce groups of 3-5 inflated, 1/3”-long capsules with a single hard seed inside. The capsules, initially greenish-red to bright red, turn brown and hang in a round cluster.   
 
Alternate leaves have 3-5 lobes with coarsely toothed edges, are up to 5" long and 4" across, and are oval to ovate in shape. Leaves turn yellow to bronze in fall.
 
Multiple stems 1” in diameter arise from the base. Cane-like branches develop each year, and older branches die after several years. Young bark is brown and smooth, turning gray, and older bark peels in papery strips.
 
Wildlife Value:
Host plant for 34 species of Lepidoptera larva, including the showy io, cecropia (pictured here) and pistachio emerald moths, and 2 specialist moths. Multiple species of pollinators are attracted to the flowers, such as bees, wasps, beetles, flies, and butterflies. Both short- and long-tongued bees can access the nectar, and mining bees are frequent pollinators. The foliage provides food for several species of aphids, beetles, and plant bugs. Deer may browse the foliage and branches. The fruits provide food for grouses and songbirds, and the shaggy branches provide cover for nesting birds and small mammals.
 
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
A tea or wash from the inner bark was used for enhancing fertility and treating gonorrhea and tuberculosis. The tea also has laxative and emetic properties. A root decoction was used for burns, sores, and wounds, and a root infusion was used as an emetic and as a purgative.