Potted flowering shrub with red-tinged leaves and pink cluster blooms in a gravel lot under a blue sky.

Purple-red smokebush leaves with pale, fluffy flower clusters in the background while sunlit.

Multi‑stem shrub in a black pot with peeling brown bark and small reddish leaves; appears stressed or recently pruned.

Cluster of small white flowers with pink-tipped stamens on dark burgundy leaves (ornamental shrub).**

Diabolo Ninebark

Deep Purple Foliage
Peeling Winter Bark
Bold Hedge Form

Our Guarantee Customer Reviews

#5 Container

$68.00

Out of stock

Want to be notified when this product is back in stock?

Use this e-mail address to send me availability alerts and updates.

Size

Clear

Add installation for only _ per item!

$68.00

The Grasshopper Guarantee

We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
FREE Local Delivery

Grasshopper Gardens offers free home delivery to customers in our local service areas. Experience the convenience of having your plants delivered straight to your home, free of charge, saving you time and effort.

Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
In Stock
518-793-9623

Diabolo Ninebark

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Diabolo Ninebark

Diabolo Ninebark is a bold purple-leaf deciduous shrub with arching branches, late spring flower clusters, and peeling winter bark. Its dark foliage creates strong contrast in hedges, foundation plantings, mixed borders, privacy screens, and naturalistic shrub groupings.

Why choose Diabolo Ninebark?

Choose Diabolo Ninebark for dramatic burgundy-purple foliage and rugged, multi-season landscape value. This upright shrub brings depth and contrast behind perennials, evergreens, and lighter-colored shrubs, while its spring flower clusters add a softer seasonal accent. As the plant matures, exfoliating bark provides winter texture after the leaves drop. It is a practical choice for larger borders, informal hedges, screens, and landscapes that need colorful structure with relatively simple care.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’
Common Name: Diabolo Ninebark
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, arching, multi-stemmed shrub

Diabolo Ninebark Additional Information

Diabolo Ninebark is valued primarily for its deep purple to burgundy foliage, which gives the shrub a strong presence from spring through fall. In late spring to early summer, rounded clusters of small pale pink to white flowers appear along the branches, standing out beautifully against the dark leaves. These flowers may be followed by small reddish seed capsules that add subtle seasonal texture.

This shrub is deciduous, so it drops its leaves in winter and reveals peeling bark on older stems. The layered bark is one of the signature features of ninebark and adds interest during the dormant season. Diabolo Ninebark works well as a specimen, dark foliage backdrop, informal hedge, screening shrub, or mixed border anchor. Prune shortly after flowering if shaping is needed, since flower buds are produced on older wood. Older stems can also be thinned periodically to refresh the plant and maintain good airflow.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Diabolo Ninebark in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Choose a location with enough room for its mature size, especially when using it as a hedge, screen, or back-border shrub.

2. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during the first growing season while roots establish. Once established, water during extended dry periods, especially in hot, exposed sites or quick-draining soils.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture, reduce weed competition, and moderate soil temperature. Keep mulch slightly pulled back from the main stems.

4. Pruning: Prune shortly after flowering to shape or reduce size. Remove dead, damaged, or crowded stems, and periodically thin older branches near the base to encourage vigorous new growth.

Related Resources

FAQs

How big does Diabolo Ninebark get?
Diabolo Ninebark commonly matures around 8–10 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide, though size can vary with site conditions, soil, and pruning.
What color is Diabolo Ninebark foliage?
Diabolo Ninebark is known for deep burgundy-purple foliage. The darkest color usually develops in brighter light, while plants in more shade may appear greener.
When does Diabolo Ninebark bloom?
It typically blooms in late spring to early summer with rounded clusters of pale pink to white flowers that contrast nicely with the dark foliage.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Lush Foliage
Full Sun
Seasonal

Mature Height	Small: Up to 15 ft
Mature Spread	5-10 ft
Growth Rate	Fast, Moderate
Botanical Name	Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo'
Bloom Time	Early Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Rosaceae
Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#2 Container, #3 Container, #5 Container, #7 Container

Map of the United States with all 50 states shaded green to show full coverage.

Growing Zones 3-7 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -40)

Compare Similar Products

Name	Amber Jubilee Ninebark	President Grevy Lilac	Easy Elegance High Voltage Rose	Compact European Cranberrybush Viburnum	Summer Wine Ninebark	Center Glow Ninebark
Rating
Mature Height	Extra Large: Above 6 ft	Small: Up to 15 ft	Small: Up to 15 ft	Large: Up to 6 ft	Small: Up to 15 ft	Small: Up to 15 ft
Mature Spread	5-10 ft	5-10 ft	5-10 ft	0-5 ft	5-10 ft	5-10 ft
Growth Rate	Fast	Moderate	Fast	Moderate	Fast, Moderate	Fast, Moderate
Bloom Time	Early Summer	Early Summer	Mid Summer	Early Spring	Early Summer	Early Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually	Usually	Usually	Usually	Usually	Usually
Family	Rosaceae	Oleaceae	Rosaceae	Adoxaceae	Rosaceae	Rosaceae
Flower Color	White	Blue/Purple	Yellow/Orange	White	Pink	White
Hardiness Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low