Physocarpus opulifolius Burgundy Candy - Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Burgundy Candy ®' is a new variety of Physocarpus that has a Burgundy-coloured foliage that retains its colour until autumn, and a small size perfectly suited for gardens of all sizes. Its leaves change from coppery orange to Bordeaux red and purple with bronze green highlights as the leaves mature. Its almost white late spring flowering creates a beautiful contrast with the foliage. And its small red fruits harmonize perfectly with its autumn colours. A small ornamental and carefree bush, as rewarding in the garden as on the terrace or balcony. 

Physocarpus opulifolius belongs to the Rosaceae family and is native to the eastern United States, as well as Quebec and Manitoba. The cultivar 'Burgundy Candy' ('Podaras 1') has a bushy and ramified habit supported by branches that bend gracefully with age when allowed to grow freely. The growth of this bush is moderately fast, and its adult size will not exceed 90cm (35in) in all directions.

Notable for the Bordeaux to purple colour of its foliage, it is also adorned with a lovely late spring flowering followed by decorative fruiting. In May-June, inflorescences of 5cm (2in) in diameter appear, in flattened corymbs adorned with pink buds that open into small nectar-rich white flowers, visited by bees. They are followed by the formation of red fruits that birds appreciate in autumn. The leaves are lobed, deeply cut, serrated, and measure from 3 to 8cm (1 to 3in). They take on a beautiful reddish-violet to orange colour in autumn before falling off. The bush remains decorative in winter, with its bark exfoliating in beige to reddish-brown flakes.

The 'Burgundy Candy' Physocarpus will find its place in flower beds or borders, in contrast with light, golden foliage shrubs (Euonymus japonicus 'Aureovariegata', Leycesteria formosa 'Golden Lanterns') or silvery ones (dwarf Artemisias, dwarf willows). It will also be charming as part of a small informal hedge, accompanied by spireas (Spirea arguta, Spirea x billardii), viburnums (Viburnum carlesii 'Chesapeake', Viburnum x bodnantense), dwarf winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus compactus), or a Neillia (Neillia affinis). To accompany its changing colours, Heucheras or Heucherellas could be planted at its base, for example, or even a Cerastostigma plumbaginoides with small electric blue flowers in summer and autumn. It will naturally have a great effect when planted in a container on a terrace or balcony where it can live for many years without requiring too much maintenance.

The name Physocarpus opulifolius comes from the Greek 'phusa', which means air bubble or vesicle, and 'karpos', which refers to fruit, in reference to the shape of the fruit. The resemblance of its foliage to that of Viburnum opulus earned it the specific name "opulifolius". Introduced in Europe around 1687, the numerous vibrant cultivars created in recent years have allowed it to make a strong comeback in gardens.