Diabolo Ninebark

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

5-8 Feet

Mature Spread

6-9 Feet

Growing Zones

2 to 8

There are many North American native shrubs that are just not used enough in ornamental garden plans. Ninebark is one of these shrubs. Diabolo Ninebark is a variety that has been bred to highlight all of the best attributes of the native. The combination of shiny, deeply colored foliage and exfoliating bark that reveals different colors as the shrub matures makes this shrub a standout specimen wherever it is planted. Diabolo has a more compact size and shape that makes it useful not only in an informal hedge, but in a smaller garden as a dramatic focal point. 

Ninebark is useful for attracting native pollinators and other wildlife to the garden. The early summer blooms are a pale pink that encourage pollinators. The berries that form later are attractive to song birds and other small animals. The deep maroon foliage turns brilliant shades of red and orange in fall and then drops to reveal peeling and highly colorful stems  and branches in the winter. Diabolo tends to have colors of purple, brown and tan on the branches. Other varieties include blues and greens as the shrub ages.

Diabolo Ninebark Care

Ninebark is very low maintenance in the correct position. Full sun to part shade will help the leaves stay red and not turn green. Moist, well draining soil that is slightly neutral to acid will support vigorous growth. Consistent watering will result in a well established shrub that tolerates short periods of drought and heat. Extra irrigation will be required for any extended periods of hot, dry weather.

Annual pruning maintenance is best done in the spring as the new growth emerges. Prune out any dead, diseased, dying or diagonal branches. Blooming occurs on current season growth. Diabolo Ninebark is a more compact variety that stays very dense with little shaping pruning needed. Supplemental fertilizing is rarely needed with native plants. A mulch of organic compost or leaves in the fall will help to build nutrition in the soil naturally as well as increase moisture retention over time.

Diabolo Ninebark Spacing

Diabolo ninebark is really best as a specimen shrub with its dramatic foliage and bark coloring. Larger gardens could use it as part of an informal mixed shrub hedge. Mature height will be 6-8 feet with a width of 7-9 feet. Spacing of 8 feet on center is recommended.