Ninebark Lady in Red
A sophisticated and robust deciduous shrub, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Lady in Red' brings exceptional depth of colour and elegance to the garden framework. It is prized for its distinctive foliage colour cycle, unfurling in Spring with a brilliant flush of bright ruby-red shoots. As Summer approaches, the heavily lobed, maple-like leaves mature into a deep, glossy chestnut-red or rich wine-purple, keeping a much warmer, redder undertone than the nearly black hues found in older varieties. In June, this dense, upright canopy becomes peppered with rounded clusters of small pinkish-white flowers that emerge from soft pink buds. The pale blossoms offer a magnificent contrast against the dark foliage backdrop and serve as an important source of nectar for local bees and pollinators. These flowers develop into red seed pods by Autumn, while the leaves take on a warm bronze glow before dropping to reveal peeling, papery bark on the mature winter stems. With its compact, naturally upright, and bushy growth habit, 'Lady in Red' needs minimal maintenance to keep its shape. It is perfectly tailored to the Irish climate, growing vigorously in cold inland sites and shrugging off the strong winds and wet winter soils that can cause less hardy shrubs to fail.
Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any well drained acid to neutral soil, but will tolerate damp.
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: : Vivid ruby and maroon foliage from Spring to Autumn; charming clusters of pinkish-white flowers in early Summer.
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 6-8’ (1.8-2.4m) Spread: 4-6' (1.2-1.8m)
Image 1 by Salicyna cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
