Ninebark

Ninebark is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America in the rose family Rosaceae, growing 5–10 feet tall with strongly arching stems. It is named for its exfoliating bark, which peels in thin papery layers to reveal shades of cinnamon, orange, and gray underneath. Modern cultivars have expanded its landscape value considerably, with foliage ranging from deep burgundy ('Diablo', 'Summer Wine') to copper-orange ('Coppertina') to lime green ('Dart's Gold').

Highly adaptable, ninebark tolerates clay, compacted, wet, and periodically dry soils across a wide pH range — a quality rare among ornamental shrubs. Clusters of small white to pale pink flowers in late spring attract native bees and bumblebees. The reddish papery seed clusters that follow persist into winter and feed birds. Full sun produces the most intense foliage color in dark-leaved cultivars; part shade causes the same cultivars to green up. The shrub spreads slowly by basal suckers; remove unwanted stems annually. Prune the oldest canes to the ground every few years for vigorous rejuvenation rather than shearing the top.

Various Indigenous peoples used bark preparations as a purgative and emetic, and applied bark extracts topically for skin irritation and eye inflammation. The species supports a broad range of native pollinators and provides dense low nesting cover for birds.