Physocarpus opulifolius Magical Spring Sapphire - Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius Magical Spring Sapphire ('Kolmassa') is a brand new variety of Physocarpus that will charm with its beautiful bright red fruiting, especially bright as it sits on a spring green foliage and retains its appeal throughout the summer. Like all Physocarpus, this deciduous bush blooms in late spring and its small clusters of white-pink flowers are highly visited by bees. Compact yet vigorous, this variety fits well in small gardens and works wonders in a large pot on the terrace or balcony.

Physocarpus opulifolius belongs to the Rosaceae family. Native to the eastern United States, up to Quebec and Manitoba, it is a deciduous bush in winter, very cold resistant. The recently obtained cultivar Magical Spring Sapphire, from the Netherlands, shows a bushy, erect and highly branched habit, supported by slightly arching branches as it grows freely. The growth of this bush is moderately fast and it will not exceed 80cm (32in) in all directions when fully grown.

Notable for the abundance and vibrant colour of its fruiting, the Magical Spring Sapphire Physocarpus is also adorned with ornamental foliage and a lovely late spring flowering. In May-June, 4cm (2in) diameter inflorescences appear in flattened corymbs, adorned with pink buds that open into lightly pinkish, nectar-rich flowers. They are followed by the formation of numerous small, shiny, bright red fruits, appreciated by birds in autumn. The leaves are lobed, deeply incised, toothed, crenate, and measure 3 to 7cm (1 to 3in) long. They take on a lovely yellow-orange to red colour in autumn before falling off. The bush remains decorative in winter, with its bark exfoliating into beige to reddish-brown flakes.

The 'Magical Spring Sapphire' Physocarpus will find its place in flowerbeds or borders, in contrast with dark foliage bushes ('Black Lace' Elderberry, 'All Black' Physocarpus), or on the contrary in harmony with light, golden foliage (Euonymus japonicus 'Aureovariegata', 'Golden Lanterns' Leycesteria formosa), or silvery (shrubby wormwoods, dwarf willows). It will also be charming in the company of Japanese spireas (Spirea 'Crispa', S.'Golden Princess') or a Neillia (Neillia affinis). 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 make a great impression when planted in a pot on a terrace or balcony, where it can live for many years without requiring much maintenance.

The name Physocarpus opulifolius comes from the Greek '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 with that of the Viburnum opulus earned it its specific name "opulifolius". Introduced in Europe around 1687, the many shimmering cultivars that have been created in recent years have allowed its strong comeback in gardens.