Physocarpus opulifolius Little Angel - Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Angel' is a variety of Ninebark with a low and spreading habit, decorative for most of the year. Its young shoots turn from orange to purple during the season, before taking on beautiful autumnal colours in shades of red and orange. In May-June, its dark foliage is enhanced by beautiful white flowers. A small-growing plant, suitable for container cultivation on a terrace as well as in a border in the ground, this small bush is easy to grow. Very hardy, it adapts to many living conditions and is a very good choice for a small garden.

Physocarpus opulifolius belongs to the large and important family of Rosaceae, which gives us so many ornamental species (Roses obviously, but also Photinia, Cotoneaster, Amelanchier...) as well as most of our temperate climate fruit trees (Pear, Apple, Cherry, Peach, Apricot, Plum...). It is native to the eastern United States, up to Quebec (where it is known as the beautiful name of "bois aux 7 écorces") and Manitoba. It forms a fairly large bush of about 3m (10ft) in all directions, with lobed leaves resembling those of the guelder rose (Viburnum opulus, hence the species name of this Physocarpus opulifolius). 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.

'Little Angel' is a selection by Pavel Schuch (Schuh nursery, founded in 1990 in the Czech Republic), marketed by Hoogenraad, a Dutch nursery for young plants. This charming bush has been selected for its small size, forming a spreading shrub about 1m (3ft) tall and 1.50m (5ft) wide, much more compact than the botanical species. Its deciduous leaves are also smaller than the species (about half the size), giving it a particularly interesting miniature appearance in a small garden. They are divided into three lobes and have a slightly plicate aspect characteristic of Physocarpus. When they first appear in spring, they have an orange tint before turning purple. In autumn, they take on a beautiful red-orange colour, which brightens up the borders. In May-June, clusters of flowers bloom, pinkish-white when they first appear, then quickly turning white, standing out clearly against the darker mass of foliage. Nectar-rich, they are highly visited by pollinating insects. They are followed by small bladder-shaped red fruits appreciated by birds in autumn.

With a medium growth rate, this bush benefits from pruning in spring to promote the emergence of new shoots and maintain its very dense aspect that gives it all its charm. It grows in neutral to slightly acidic soil, even slightly calcareous, preferably moist but tolerates dryness once well rooted. Very hardy (down to at least -25°C (1°F)), it will thrive in full sun and also tolerate partial shade. It is therefore a very accommodating and easy-to-grow shrub. Its limited growth and good pruning tolerance also make it suitable for container cultivation. In this case, it will need regular watering in these drier conditions compared to being planted in the ground.

The very graphic 'Little Angel' Ninebark will find its place in a large pot on the terrace, or in a border, creating contrasts with shrubs with light or golden foliage. It will be perfect as a foreground plant for a Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Lady', a small tree with golden green foliage, creating a strong contrast. Leycesteria formosa 'Golden Lanterns', a tree with chartreuse green foliage and magnificent decorative fruits, will also be a very good companion for this small Ninebark. With a slightly larger growth, the rare Clerodendrum trichotomum 'Variegatum' with variegated foliage and very original decorative fruits, can be planted in the background of these different colourful shrubs. And to create a border for the border, you can plant Heucheras or Heucherella at the base of 'Little Angel', accompanying its changing colours.