Physocarpus opulifolius 'Jefam' AMBER JUBILEE™ common ninebark

AMBER JUBILEE™ ninebark is a perfect chameleon that transforms itself throughout the growing season. Thanks to its second parent, its earliest foliage in spring brings a bright yellow color, but before the leaves unfold, salmon and deep amber-orange tones appear, making the whole bush look like dipped in caramel. In the next phase, the lower leaves turn medium green, while the newly formed twigs keep on producing new leaves that show a combination of pistachio green and mahogany. And as if it’s not been enough, the mature leaves do not remain just green, but take on a chocolate and maroon hues thanks to the genes of the first parent. If this mixture of colours is already difficult to digest for you, perhaps you'd better skip the little but important note about its autumn colors 😊: honey gold, amber orange, and scarlet red. An amazing addition to indian summer.

The leaves are deciduous, serrated at margins, divided into three lobes like those of Amur maple, and slightly 3D – not flat. Twigs are orange to brown from spring till autumn. In late spring appear numerous small corymbs composed of white, melliferous flowers that are soon followed by bright pink-red fruits that last for several months and look like tiny jewels. AMBER JUBILEE™ ninebark grows fast and, thanks to its upright stems, forms symmetrical and extremely dense bushes. Its height and width varies between 1.5 and 2 meters.

In autumn the shrub shows another handsome feature which gave this plant its name ninebark: peeling-off bark in strips on older stems. It looks especially attractive on a sunny winter day against a background of fresh snow. Dark-coloured varieties provide the best contrast in hedges with yellow- or light-green-leaved shrubs and vice versa. Ninebarks combine well with other deciduous broadleaved shrubs producing coloured foliage or flowers such as weigelas, viburnums, etc. These colourful hedges and screens may not be suited to all types of landscape so consider your project wisely as to whether you really want a firework of colours rather than a subtle setting with plants of one type or one colour only.

Ninebarks are so easy to grow. They take any soil, pH and location. The root system is so sturdy it can easily grow through heavy clay that will provide nutrients for a fantastic plant. They even cope well with compacted ground that tends to get waterlogged after the rain. On the contrary, once established they do not require extra watering and sit still until the next rain. Location in full sun will enhance the leaf colour and shrub uniformity. Pruning is a key to the best-looking plants as it ensures regular rejuvenation: prune back 60-80% of all branches every other year after the flowers have set fruits. Best done in early spring before the plant wakes up, or any time during winter but you will lose the sight of peeling-off trunks. Fully hardy to about -45°C (USDA zone 2), and suitable for outdoor pots.

Last update 31-10-2023