Physocarpus opulifolius Little Greeny

Physocarpus opulifolius Little Greeny, known by its cultivar name 'Hoogi043', is a very compact and bushy variety with the shiny green foliage of the common ninebark. Its white flowering in early summer, which takes the form of numerous small corymbs, is very decorative. It gives way to small ornamental red fruits. Finally, in winter, the brown bark is revealed after the leaves have fallen. This ninebark needs little maintenance and is used for mass planting, in flower beds, borders, and also in pots on the terrace or balcony. It is undemanding and tolerates any type of soil in full sun or partial shade.

Physocarpus opulifolius belongs to the large family of Rosaceae, which includes most of our temperate fruit trees, many wild plants, and numerous ornamental genera such as roses. It is native to North America, where it is found naturally in a wide geographical area, covering a wide diversity of soils and climates. This explains its great adaptability and its ornamental interest, the species itself already has quite decorative foliage. However, it is somewhat neglected in favour of different cultivars with coloured, variegated, golden, orange, purple, or almost black foliage.

Little Greeny is a variety with green foliage that is still ornamental. This small shrub, with a more or less ball-shaped and bushy habit, reaches only 50 cm high and 30 cm wide at maturity. Its vegetation is relatively dense, carried by branches that grow in all directions, giving it a beautiful appearance in winter when the leaves have fallen, exposing its decorative brown bark, which peels over time. The medium-sized leaves, about 6-8 cm long and 4-5 cm wide, are trilobed, with each lobe slightly toothed. Their evocative shape gives this bush the nickname of Ninebark with sapwood-like leaves. The flowering usually spreads over May-June and takes the form of white corymbs, in the shape of domes, about 4-5 cm in diameter. They consist of a cluster of small flowers with five petals and protruding stamens, which are loved by pollinating insects. They then develop into quite decorative red fruits loved by birds in autumn when the vegetation takes on a beautiful orange hue, contrasting well with the small fruits.

This bush is good for wildlife, extremely cold-resistant and tolerates pruning well, although it is not necessary. It only dislikes heatwaves and drought. Pair it with Weigela florida 'Naomi Campbell', for contrasting foliage colour. At its base, you can plant some perennial geraniums or Heucheras, with foliage that has almost all the colours of the vegetable kingdom, as a border or in the foreground of a flower bed.