Physocarpus opulifolius Little Joker - Ninebark

Physocarpus Little Joker (‘Hoogi021’) is a variety of bush with small leaves resembling cranberry leaves. It is ideal for small spaces and container gardening. This highly branched small bush forms a kind of charmingly tousled little ball adorned with beautifully sculpted and coloured foliage, and then with white-pink flowers in late spring. Its young leaves are tinged with purple-orange, before turning green-purple at maturity. It is an easy-to-grow plant, disease-resistant and requiring little maintenance. All these qualities have earned it a Silver Medal at the Plantarium in Boskoop in 2016.

Physocarpus opulifolius Little Joker, recently selected in the Netherlands, belongs to the Rosaceae family. Its ancestor is native to the eastern United States, up to Quebec and Manitoba. It is perfectly hardy (up to -30° C (-22° F) and not demanding in terms of soil. The growth of this bush is rather slow, and its mature size will not exceed 60 cm (23.6 in) in height and 50 cm (19.7 in) in width.

Little Joker is particularly branched, with a very dense habit, first upright and then slightly widening with age. It is remarkable for the shape and colour of its small leaves, which measure 3 cm to 4 cm (1.2 in to 1.6 in) in length. They are narrow, pointed, divided into 3 lobes and strongly toothed along the edges. They emerge in a red-orange colour, then evolve towards shades of red and purple before turning green in summer. The young stems are also coloured brown-purple orange, adding to the beauty of the vegetation. The flowering occurs in May-June. It takes the form of small clusters or flat corymbs adorned with pink buds that open into small white to pinkish nectar-rich flowers, popular with bees. They are followed by red fruits appreciated by birds in autumn. The bush remains decorative in winter, with its bark exfoliating in beige to reddish-brown flakes.

It will suit gardens of all sizes, in sunny flower beds and borders. It also makes a lovely terrace or balcony plant. Combine it with other bushes for terraces, or for example with plants with light foliage (wormwoods, cinerarias) or compact bushes with golden foliage. To accompany its changing colours, Heucheras or Heucherellas can also be planted at its base.

The name Physocarpus opulifolius comes from the Greek word 'phusa', which means air bubble or vesicle, and 'karpos', which refers to the fruit, in reference to the shape of the fruit. The resemblance of its foliage to that of the European cranberry bush has earned it the specific name 'opulifolius'. Introduced to Europe around 1687, the many colourful cultivars that have been created in recent years have allowed it to make a strong comeback in gardens.