Species › Plants › Common Ninebark

Common Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

CommonPlant
Illustration of Common Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

Common Ninebark is a native shrub of stream banks and rocky hillsides with distinctive peeling, layered bark in shades of brown and tan—the nine bark of its name. It produces white or pink flower clusters in May that attract many native bee species. The inflated seed capsules persist through winter and provide some seeds for birds.

Habitat
Stream banks, rocky slopes, and forest edges across eastern North America
Diet
Flowers support native bees; seeds eaten by finches and small mammals
How common
Common

Best time to see a Common Ninebark

The best time to see a Common Ninebark is May–July, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 5,266 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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