Growing Requirements for Coppertina Ninebark

Growing Habits

• Flower buds form during the first summer and bloom into tiny, white-pink flowers by the middle of summer. The orange-copper color of the foliage turns red as the summer season progresses, and the shrub develops bright red fruit for autumn. If you don't prune the Coppertina ninebark, it can grow quite tall, approaching the 10-foot mark.

Habitat

• Coppertina ninebark grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 to 8 and adapts to a wide range of growing conditions. It blossoms in locations with partial to full sun exposure, and handles both dry and moist conditions after establishment. It has no preference for soil type or pH, but the soil needs to be well-drained.

Water and Fertilization

• During the first year of growth, the bush likes to be watered consistently to develop deep roots and a tolerance for dry periods in following summers. If you choose to fertilize it, do so in the spring, using a balanced fertilizer for shrubs and trees. You can make the leaf colors come alive on a Coppertina ninebark by applying a thin, 1/4-inch layer of compost on top of the soil at the base of the tree every year.

Pruning

• You must prune this plant on a regular basis to give it a uniform, clean look. Only prune it in the middle of the summer, after it develops flowers. Stop pruning sometime in August to give enough time for new flower buds to form before the winter season comes.

Pests

• Like other ninebark cultivars, the Coppertina version doesn't tend to have many pest problems but may be susceptible to some insects, like aphids. These insects like to make home underneath new leaves, but you can easily eliminate them with sprays of water or insecticidal soap. Be especially on the lookout for leaves that are curled under, because that might be a sign of some type of infestation.