Coppertina® Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Mindia')

Four Seasons of Color with Copper Foliage, Soft Pink Blooms, and Exfoliating Winter Bark

Plant Overview

Common Name: Coppertina® Ninebark
Botanical Name: Physocarpus opulifolius 'Mindia'
Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
Family: Rosaceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Hardiness Zones: 3–7

Coppertina® Ninebark is a striking native shrub prized for its unique copper-colored foliage, soft pink-white flower clusters, and attractive peeling bark. A cross between the golden-leaved ‘Dart’s Gold’ and the dark purple-leaved ‘Diabolo’, Coppertina® combines the best traits of both parents, creating season-long interest in the landscape.

Its colorful foliage, pollinator-friendly blooms, and exceptional cold hardiness make it a standout shrub for gardens throughout Maine and the Northeast.

Quick Facts

• Height: 6–8 feet

• Spread: 6–8 feet

• Bloom Time: Early Summer

• Flower Color: Pinkish-White

• Foliage Color: Copper, Bronze, Red

• Fall Interest: Bronze to Burgundy Foliage

• Winter Interest: Exfoliating Bark

• Sun Exposure: Full Sun

• Water Needs: Average

• Maintenance: Low

• Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

• Native Plant: Yes

• Pollinator Friendly: Yes

Growing Conditions

Light

For the richest foliage color and best flowering performance, plant Coppertina® Ninebark in:

• Full Sun

While tolerant of light shade, foliage color is most vibrant when grown in six or more hours of direct sunlight daily.

Soil

Adaptable to a wide range of soils including:

• Loam

• Clay

• Sandy Soil

• Rocky Soil

Best performance occurs in:

• Well-drained soil

• Average garden conditions

Water

• Average moisture needs

• Drought tolerant once established

• Benefits from supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods

Foliage Interest

Coppertina® Ninebark is grown as much for its foliage as its flowers.

Seasonal Color Changes

Spring

• Emerging foliage glows copper-orange

Summer

• Leaves deepen to rich bronze-red

Autumn

• Foliage develops burgundy and reddish-bronze tones

The deeply lobed, serrated leaves provide exceptional texture and contrast throughout the growing season.

Flower Characteristics

In early summer, attractive clusters of flowers appear near the ends of the stems.

Flower Features

• Soft pink-white blossoms

• Five-petaled flowers

• Rounded flower clusters

• Bloom on old wood

• Attractive to pollinators

Following bloom, ornamental red seed heads develop, extending seasonal interest.

Winter Interest

One of the defining features of Ninebark is its ornamental bark.

Winter Features

• Exfoliating bark peels in thin layers

• Reveals cinnamon-brown inner bark

• Provides texture and visual interest after leaf drop

This characteristic gives the shrub year-round appeal even during Maine winters.

Pollinator & Wildlife Benefits

Coppertina® Ninebark provides valuable habitat and food sources.

Attracts

• Bees

• Butterflies

• Native Pollinators

Wildlife Benefits

• Dense branching offers shelter for birds

• Seed heads provide seasonal interest and wildlife value

Garden Uses

This versatile native shrub fits beautifully into many landscape styles.

Recommended Uses

• Foundation Plantings

• Mixed Shrub Borders

• Native Plant Gardens

• Pollinator Gardens

• Cottage Gardens

• Property Screens

• Informal Hedges

• Mass Plantings

• Specimen Plantings

Its colorful foliage creates an excellent backdrop for flowering perennials and ornamental grasses.

Companion Plants

At 19 Birch Lane, Coppertina® Ninebark pairs beautifully with:

• Russian Sage

• Coneflowers

• Black-Eyed Susans

• Daylilies

• Hydrangeas

• Catmint

• Ornamental Grasses

• Panicle Hydrangeas

• Peonies

The warm copper foliage contrasts beautifully with blue, purple, white, and pink flowers.

Care & Maintenance

Coppertina® Ninebark is remarkably easy to grow.

Maintenance Tips

• Minimal pruning required

• Prune immediately after flowering if shaping is desired

• Avoid heavy late-season pruning

• Remove damaged or crossing branches as needed

The shrub develops its best natural form when allowed to grow with minimal intervention.

Why We Grow It at 19 Birch Lane

At 19 Birch Lane, Coppertina® Ninebark is valued for its outstanding foliage color, native heritage, and year-round ornamental appeal. From copper spring growth and soft summer flowers to striking bark in winter, few shrubs provide such continuous interest throughout the seasons.

Its toughness, adaptability, and pollinator value make it an excellent addition to both formal gardens and naturalistic landscapes.

Problems

Generally trouble-free.

Potential Issues

• Occasional powdery mildew in humid conditions

• Best planted with adequate spacing for air circulation

Proper siting and sunlight help prevent most issues.

Plant Finder Details

Botanical Name: Physocarpus opulifolius 'Mindia'
Common Name: Coppertina® Ninebark
Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
Family: Rosaceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Zones: 3–7
Height: 6–8 feet
Spread: 6–8 feet
Bloom Time: Early Summer
Flower Color: Pink-White
Foliage Color: Copper, Bronze, Red
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Average
Maintenance: Low
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded
Blooms On: Old Wood
Wildlife Value: Pollinator Friendly
Winter Interest: Exfoliating Bark

Botanical Garden Notes

Coppertina® Ninebark demonstrates how native shrubs can provide both ecological value and exceptional ornamental beauty. Its colorful foliage, seasonal flowers, and attractive bark make it a valuable structural plant within the growing collections at 19 Birch Lane.

Coppertina® Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Mindia')

Four Seasons of Color with Copper Foliage, Soft Pink Blooms, and Exfoliating Winter Bark