Get 50% off al spring bulbs!
Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.
New arrival

Physocarpus opulifolius Choco Flame - Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius Choco Flame
Ninebark, Eastern ninebark

Be the first to leave a review

Why not try an alternative variety in stock?

15
From €3.70 8/9 cm pot

Available in 4 sizes

47
From €3.70 8/9 cm pot

Available in 3 sizes

5
From €16.50 3L/4L pot

Available in 2 sizes

45
From €4.70 Bare root

Available in 3 sizes

8
From €20.50 3L/4L pot

Available in 2 sizes

55
From €6.90 8/9 cm pot
5
From €18.50 2L/3L pot

Available in 2 sizes

63
From €4.90 8/9 cm pot

Available in 2 sizes

18
From €16.50 3L/4L pot
59
From €6.90 8/9 cm pot
25
From €4.90 Bare root
7
€59.00 7.5L/10L pot
6
From €18.50 3L/4L pot

Available in 2 sizes

19
From €3.90 Bare root

Schedule delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

An original, ornamental physocarpus with young shoots of an unusual bronze colour, with a golden heart. The bronze-coloured leaves perfectly highlight the white flowers in late spring. This then develops into decorative red berries in summer. This medium-sized shrub has dense, branched growth. Easy to grow, it accepts most soils except those that are too chalky or too dry, thrives in sun or even semi-shade and is very easy to prune. This makes it easy to grow in containers on terraces.
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
1.50 m
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
plantfit-full

Does this plant fit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time May to June
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

The Physocarpus opulifolius 'Choco Flame' is a variety of Physocarpus opulifolius that stands out for the unique colour of its foliage. It displays a bronze hue, which, in young shoots, is tinged with gold in the centre, creating a bold and new contrast. Of medium size, the bush branches spontaneously and has dense vegetation. The spring flowering in corymbs of small white flowers stands out against the dark background of the foliage. In summer, decorative red fruits succeed the flowers. Easy to grow, it only fears excessive limestone or pronounced drought. Perfect for small gardens, where it can also be grown in a container on a terrace, it integrates well in a mixed border as well as in a lively hedge.

Physocarpus is a member of the large and important family of Rosaceae, which includes most of our temperate climate fruit trees (Pear, Apple, Cherry, Peach...), many wild plants from our countryside (Cinquefoil, Burnet...) and many ornamental plants (Firethorn, Cherry...). The name of the plant comes from the Greek physa (bladder) and karpos (fruit) because its fruits are vesicular follicles. Close to Spiraea and Neillia, Physocarpus stands out for its corymb flowers and its follicle fruits, grouped by 4 or 5.
There are about a dozen species of Physocarpus, including P. opulifolius native to eastern North America. It forms a vigorous shrub that can reach 3m in height, with erect to spreading branches, some of which bend down to the ground to layer, i.e. they root and give rise to a new plant from there. The green foliage turns yellow in autumn and the brown bark exfoliates, reinforcing the plant's decorative interest. This ornamental species was introduced to Europe as early as the end of the seventeenth century, but it is only in recent years with the development of many cultivars that it has spread in our gardens.
Choco Flame is a recent horticultural variety that brings a new colour to the range of Physocarpus. The young shoots of the bush are indeed bronzed, with a golden heart that creates a unique contrast. Of medium size, it reaches 1.50m in all directions, with harmonious branching and numerous shoots. The dense vegetation takes on a homogeneous bronze colour during the season, which allows for original associations with other plants with colourful foliage. The trilobed leaves with well-visible veins have a typical and very ornamental pattern. The flowering appears in May-June, in the form of almost spherical corymbs made up of small white flowers barely 1cm in diameter. The corymbs, 4 to 5cm in diameter, are well highlighted by the foliage which forms a relatively dark background. They mainly form at the ends of the branches, thus dominating the vegetation. In summer, small decorative bright red fruits succeed the flowers, further enhancing the ornamental value of the bush. Deciduous, the leaves fall in autumn, revealing the beautiful silhouette of the plant. Easy to grow, this medium-sized Physocarpus tolerates pruning well and can also be grown in a container on a terrace.

After the varieties with green, golden, variegated, and purple foliage, the Physocarpus 'Choco Flame' stands out with its very original bronze colour. Plant it alongside shrubs such as Caryopteris clandonensis Sterling Silver, whose silver-grey foliage will elegantly complement the bronze of your Physocarpus. Its flowering, of intense blue, later since it extends from August to October, will broaden the flowering period of your scene. To bring a touch of light, also install a Choysia Aztec Gold. This Mexican Orange Blossom stands out for its pleasantly cut foliage, very aromatic and of remarkable golden green. Blooming at the same time as Choco Flame, with often a second flowering in summer, it produces white flowers that exude a scent of orange blossom. And to support the Caryopteris in summer, choose a Lagerstroemia Dynamite: its intense cherry red flowering lasts all summer, from July to October, while its foliage oscillates between red when it emerges, dark green to slightly purple in season before turning red in autumn.

 

Physocarpus opulifolius Choco Flame - Ninebark in pictures

Physocarpus opulifolius Choco Flame - Ninebark (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.50 m
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time May to June
Inflorescence Corymb
Flower size 1 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Flowering description White, nectar-rich corymbs.
Fruit colour red

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour bronze
Foliage description Deciduous, shiny, almost black.

Botanical data

Genus

Physocarpus

Species

opulifolius

Cultivar

Choco Flame

Family

Rosaceae

Other common names

Ninebark, Eastern ninebark

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference21666

Other Physocarpus

47
From €3.70 8/9 cm pot

Available in 3 sizes

8
From €20.50 3L/4L pot

Available in 2 sizes

9
From €16.50 3L/4L pot
4
From €39.50 7.5L/10L pot

Available in 2 sizes

5
From €18.50 2L/3L pot

Available in 2 sizes

Out of stock
From €24.50 4L/5L pot
6
From €27.50 2L/3L pot
63
From €4.90 8/9 cm pot

Available in 2 sizes

Out of stock
From €16.50 3L/4L pot

Available in 2 sizes

Planting and care

Plant Physocarpus opulifolius 'Choco Flame' in deep, humus-bearing, rich and not too dry soil, preferably neutral to acidic. It fears excessive limestone, long dry periods, and languishes in poor soils. Dig a hole 50 by 50 cm and add compost-enriched soil to the bottom, mixing it with the existing soil. Soak the root ball in a bucket of water for fifteen minutes (until no more bubbles rise to the surface), plant it in the hole, backfill, and then water abundantly. Water regularly for the first two years and during dry summers. Once well-rooted, this Physocarpus is relatively resistant to water shortage (in not too hot climates, however).

This bush will thrive in partial shade or full sun, but the foliage colours will be more pronounced if planted in a sunny location. Thin out dense plants by pruning severely some of the arching stems after flowering. This may encourage the development of new flower buds at the end of summer. Prune back hard in spring, close to the stump, to give it a denser appearance.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Container, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, ordinary but well worked and furnished.

Care

Pruning instructions Aerate plants that are too dense by severely pruning some of the arching stems after flowering. This will encourage new flower buds to appear at the end of the summer. Physocarpus has a tendency to produce numerous shoots, to the detriment of the mother plant; it may be useful to prune it very short at the end of winter, close to the stump, to give it a denser appearance.
Pruning Pruning recommended twice a year
Pruning time March, August
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

This item has not been reviewed yet - be the first to leave a review about it.

Leave a review →

Striking foliage shrubs

12
€29.50 4L/5L pot

Available in 2 sizes

4
From €27.50 3L/4L pot
82
From €3.30 8/9 cm pot

Available in 2 sizes

1
€24.50 3L/4L pot
6
From €24.50 4L/5L pot
48
From €5.90 8/9 cm pot

Available in 3 sizes

2
€37.50 3L/4L pot
Out of stock
€37.50 2L/3L pot
7
From €12.50 3L/4L pot
3
From €8.90 8/9 cm pot

Available in 3 sizes

Haven't found what you were looking for?

We only deliver seed and bulb products to your country. If you add other products to your basket, they cannot be shipped.