Some common names of plants can be a bit of an exaggeration, like sneeze weed and monkey puzzle tree. Ninebark, a common shrub in our area, falls into this same category.
Ninebark is hardy shrub that has colorful leaves, flowers and fruits. In winter, the bark exfoliates in layers, giving it the common name ninebark. It grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide in full- to part-sun locations on well-drained soil. Ninebark is closely related to spirea and it blooms around the same time with similar looking whitish-pink flowers.
Ninebarks are relatively pest free and easy to grow. Branches will sometimes die back, but the shrub responds well to severe pruning. The best time to cut it back is after flowering. It's suited to places in your landscape where spirea grows and can be used as a foundation plant, in hedgerows or even used for erosion control on banks.
