I bought 5 of these for privacy for my front yard patio. I have had them in for a little over 2 years. I put them in the ground in fall, They did well over a cold Michigan winter. I pinched the tips as directed the first year. The next year I couldn't help but let it go to see the flowers. They were just beautiful. They are white, But look pale pink in contrast to the deep purple leaves. Looked like little buttons. I did trim them down twice to control their growth. They did grow about 2 feet more this year (around 3 in total). They filled out nice and full also. Then a couple of new branches bloomed again this October. I cannot tell you the compliments I have received.  Cynthia, MI  Zone 5

Vast improvement over Diabolo. I have not noticed any green sports, and its habit is more manageable and refined. It has been a top seller for several year. Dave L. PA, Zone 6

Bloom Time:  Mid-summer  

Bloom Color:  Pinkish-white  

Foliage color:  Deeply cut, dark crimson-red leaves 

Size:  5-6 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide, excellent branching 

Exposure: Full sun for best color 

Soil: Adaptable to difficult situations. Withstands acidic and alkaline soils.

Pruning: Summer Wine forms its flower buds in later summer and then flowers in early June. The best time to prune is it after it blooms, from mid-June to mid-August.  Cease pruning in mid-august to allow time for the flower buds to form prior to winter.

As a young plant it is best to prune or pinch your plant in order to build a full bodied, well branched plant.  If the plant is leggy when you purchased it, shear the plant back hard by 1/3  to 1/2 its original size. Once it puts on an inch or two of growth, pinch the branch tips to remove just the growing tip. This tip controls branching.  Once it is removed the buds below it will turn into stems. Once these new branches grow an inch or two, pinch the tip out again. You can repeat this throughout the first growing season as you are tending your garden.  Although you will sacrifice one year of bloom, this technique results in a well branched, full bodied plant that will have more flowers in subsequent years. The second season in the ground, repeat the pinching practice (or lightly shear) up until mid-August.  Cease pruning and pinching to allow the flower buds to set.

During the third and subsequence seasons, prune or pinch after flowering and up to bud set in mid-August. Do not be afraid to prune or shear your plant harder if you wish to maintain a shorter size.                  

Watering: Medium moisture. Can tolerant dry conditions once established.

Wildlife: songbirds

Type: Deciduous  

Fertilizing: Fertilize in early spring by applying a slow release fertilizer specialized for trees & shrubs. Follow the label for recommended rate of application.  

Uses: Groupings or masses, perennial or shrub borders, containers, screens.  

Other: Native to North America. Bark on older plants exfoliates into papery strips. Fruit is very beautiful in the fall. 

An exciting new improvement to Ninebark, SUMMER WINE^® combines the fine texture and compact branching of Physocarpus ‘Nana’ with the dark foliage of Physocarpus ‘Diabolo’.

Smaller and more highly branched than other ninebark varieties SUMMER WINE^® ninebark is an easy way to introduce dark purple foliage into the home garden.  It is fast growing and has few, if any, pest problems.  Pruning and other maintenance is rarely needed.  Use it as a bold accent or part of a mixed border.  SUMMER WINE^™ may even be cut for use in arrangements.

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