Physocarpus opulifolius Sweet Cherry Tea™
It’s easy to see how ninebarks have become one of our most beloved natives. This new free-flowering selection from breeder David Zlesak has more bells and whistles than we can count! Delicate, feathery leaves begin the spring season with a warm, reddish-orange glow before aging to a rich purple. Dark-pink buds open to multiple delicate, pink flowers clustered together at the tips of every branch. As the petals fall, they give way to showy, rose-red fruits that hold their color for a few weeks in late spring. Stunning!
But wait…there’s more! The re-blooming trait that Sweet Cherry Tea™ exhibits is extremely rare in ninebarks, giving us much more to celebrate! In midsummer, the flowering starts again with vigorous shoots terminating in more pink flower clusters. Exceptional branching that follows allows for many side shoots with warm, colored tips to develop and increase plant density—minimizing pruning and contributing to the various shades of…Sweet Cherry Tea™!
Please note: We don't sell plants. Asking your local retailer or googling the plant name is the easiest way to find someone selling our plants.
Please note: Download hi-res photos from the photo gallery at the bottom of the page.
Who Am I?
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Common Name
Sweet Cherry Tea ninebark -
Botanical Name
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘ZLEBic5’ PP31235 -
Type
Shrub -
US Native?
YES -
Bloom Time
Summer
Cultural Details
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Bloom Time
Summer -
Size
3-4' tall by 3-4' wide -
Hardiness Zone
3-7 -
Light
Full sun -
Soil
Average garden soil -
Moisture
Moist, but well drained -
Disease & Pests
None known -
Landscape Use
Foundations, mixed borders, naturalized gardens, specimens, urban spaces. Tolerant of a wide range of soil types and harsh conditions, this long-lived native can be used for erosion control or to cover banks -
Propagation
Cuttings -
Pruning
Ninebarks flower in eary summer and fruit in the fall. To encourage flowering, prune in late fall.