Ninebark, Common

Here we have the Common Ninebark, or Physocarpus opulifolius, which, despite its name, isn't all that common. It can grow up to 9 feet tall and features long, arching branches with many fine branchlets, giving it a dense appearance. The mature bark is thin and fibrous, peeling in long strips to reveal the reddish-brown inner bark. Its leaves, about 2 inches in length, have 3 lobes, resembling maple leaves, and are dull, dark green on top with a paler underside and irregularly toothed edges. Notably, leaves on non-flowering branches tend to be larger than those on flowering branches. From May to June, tiny white flowers bloom in clusters up to 2 inches wide. The fruit ripens from late July into the fall, forming clusters of 3 to 5 pointed follicles that split open when ripe, each containing 2 or 3 seeds. These fruits persist through fall and are often found in mid-winter until they shatter. As the fruit ripens in the summer, it turns a striking red, while the leaves transform to yellow in the fall, adding to the shrub's visual appeal.