Little Devil™ Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May', is a compact deciduous shrub with deep burgundy foliage, light-colored summer flowers, and attractive peeling bark. It is a strong choice for adding contrast to mixed borders, foundation beds, and smaller landscapes.
With the right site and a simple seasonal routine, this low-maintenance shrub can provide color and structure for years.
Choose the right planting site
Little Devil™ Ninebark performs best in full sun to partial shade. More sun generally produces richer foliage color, while afternoon shade can be helpful in hot or exposed locations. Choose a site with well-drained soil and enough room for the shrub to reach its mature size without crowding paths, windows, or neighboring plants.
Before planting, check your local USDA hardiness zone and the plant tag for site-specific guidance. Conditions can vary across Indiana, especially between exposed northern sites and warmer urban or southern locations.
How to plant Little Devil™ Ninebark
- Water the container thoroughly before planting.
- Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the root ball.
- Set the shrub so the top of the root ball is level with, or slightly above, the surrounding soil.
- Backfill with the soil you removed and water slowly to settle the roots.
- Apply two to three inches of mulch over the root zone, keeping mulch away from the stems.
Fall and spring are both good planting seasons in Indiana when the soil is workable. After planting, keep the soil consistently moist while the shrub establishes, especially during dry or windy weather.
Watering and fertilizing
Water deeply rather than giving frequent shallow sprinkles. Check the soil a few inches below the surface, and water when it begins to dry. Established shrubs usually need less supplemental water, but extended heat and drought can still cause stress.
Little Devil™ Ninebark typically does not need heavy fertilizing. If growth is weak, test the soil and follow the recommendations for your site. Avoid pushing tender late-season growth with excessive nitrogen.
Pruning tips
Ninebark flowers on older wood, so prune with a purpose rather than shearing it routinely. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches as needed. For size control or rejuvenation, prune after flowering, or selectively remove some of the oldest stems near the base. Avoid cutting the shrub back hard late in the season, when new growth may not have time to harden before winter.
Seasonal care in Indiana
Spring
- Inspect for winter damage and remove broken or dead branches.
- Refresh mulch without piling it against the stems.
- Water during dry stretches as new growth develops.
Summer
- Monitor soil moisture during heat and drought.
- Check the center of the shrub for crowded or crossing branches.
- Enjoy the foliage and flowers, and avoid unnecessary pruning while it is blooming.
Fall and winter
- Water deeply before the ground freezes if fall weather has been dry.
- Keep a clean mulch layer over the root zone to moderate soil temperature.
- Do not wrap the shrub routinely unless your site exposes it to unusual winter damage or the plant tag recommends protection.
Design ideas
Use Little Devil™ Ninebark as a bold foliage accent beside gold- or silver-leaved perennials, or repeat it in a low informal hedge. Pair it with spring bulbs and long-blooming perennials for a bed that changes through the seasons. Explore our shrub collection to build a layered planting around it.
Shop Little Devil™ Ninebark
Bring compact color and texture to your landscape with Little Devil™ Ninebark. Plant it in a well-drained site, water consistently during establishment, and let its foliage do the heavy lifting.