Please make sure JavaScript is enabled.

Before You Leave…

Download the GardenTags App today and join 100,000+ gardeners getting FREE plant identification, garden management and more!

no thanks

 
Ninebark Donna May in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' syn. Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil'

 

Ninebark 'Donna May'

A mound-shaped deciduous shrub. It has a height from 1–3m and a spread of up to 2m. It is fast-growing and produces clusters of small white flowers which may be tinged with pink. Small red berries follow in autumn. The pale brown bark of the shrub peels attractively after 5 - 10 years. Insect- and disease-resistant, and drought-tolerant. 'Donna May' (or 'Little Devil' as it is sometimes sold as) produces foliage that is bright red before maturing to deep burgundy by summer. The dark foliage contrasts beautifully with clusters of pink flowers from early summer.

Contributed by @perennialgrbs

 
plant Features
  • Ninebark Donna May likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Ninebark Donna May likes very little water

    Very little water

  • Ninebark Donna May is full frost hardy: 5f (-15°c)

    Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

  • Ninebark Donna May likes rich and free draining

    Rich and free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Ninebark 'Donna May'

Latin name

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' syn. Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil'

type

Deciduous trees or shrubs

family

Rosaceae

ph

5.0 - 7.5 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Ninebark Donna May likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Frost

    Ninebark Donna May is full frost hardy: 5f (-15°c)

    Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

  • Soil

    Ninebark Donna May likes rich and free draining

    Rich and free draining

  • Water

    Ninebark Donna May likes very little water

    Very little water

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Ninebark Donna May is 1.20meters x 1.20meters 1.20 M 1.20 M

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' syn. Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil'

A mound-shaped deciduous shrub. It has a height from 1–3m and a spread of up to 2m. It is fast-growing and produces clusters of small white flowers which may be tinged with pink. Small red berries follow in autumn. The pale brown bark of the shrub peels attractively after 5 - 10 years. Insect- and disease-resistant, and drought-tolerant. 'Donna May' (or 'Little Devil' as it is sometimes sold as) produces foliage that is bright red before maturing to deep burgundy by summer. The dark foliage contrasts beautifully with clusters of pink flowers from early summer.


Planting young plants

From Early Spring TO Early Spring

Plant Physocarpus in a fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun or semi-shade. Physocarpus plants prefer an acid to neutral soil, but will tolerate more alkaline soils, although may they may become chlorotic in very chalky areas. Incorporate organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost into the soil prior to planting. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot, and deep enough so that when you place the plant in the hole, the top of the root ball is level with the ground around the hole. Fill in the space around the plant with a planting soil mix (you can buy this where you buy the plant) and press the area down with your foot.

 

Propagation by cuttings

From Mid Summer TO Early Autumn

Propagate is by by softwood cuttings in summer or pot up suckers in the autumn.

 
Subscribe to GardenTags Premium to get personalised planting tasks and more for your entire plant collection
 
Gardeners who are growing this plant