Free FedEx Shipping on All Orders Over $179

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’

Status: Out of stock

Product ID#: ndiab
Product Description
Flower Color White
Fruit Color Pink
Mature Plant Size (H x W) 8-10' x 8-10'
Diabolo Ninebark was introduced in the USA by McKay Nursery Company. It is a purple-leaved selection from Germany. Leaves emerge a coppery color and darken as they age to a rich deep burgundy. Its Pink flower buds open to a creamy white in late spring. An excellent upright spreading plant, it makes a nice specimen in the landscape. Hardy and pest-free, renewal prune to keep fresh looking.

Make Your Garden a Star Attraction with McKay Nursery

Here at McKay Nursery, our extensive selection of plants has everything you need to complete your landscape design, including the eye-catching Diabolo® ninebark. Our nursery in Waterloo, Wisconsin, is dedicated to growing hardy and vibrant plants for your gardening needs. Order your Diabolo® ninebark today and shop with confidence in our high-quality stock!

For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 920-478-2121.
  • Mature Plant Size (H x W) Mature Plant Size (H x W): 8-10' x 8-10'
Key features
  • Attracts Birds
  • Native
  • Walnut Toxicity Resistant
  • Attracts Pollinators
Planting Care

Planting & Care for Deciduous Shrub – Diabolo® Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’)

Preparation
  • Physocarpus ninebark shrubs prefer a sunny to lightly shaded location.
  • Allow room for the well-branching shrub to spread out when planting in the landscape, as ninebark shrub care does not necessarily include heavy pruning.
  • Foliage may turn green under extreme heat or when covered in partial shade.
  • Established purple ninebark shrubs are drought tolerant and can thrive with only occasional watering and limited fertilization in spring.
  • Hardy and pest-free, renewal prune to keep fresh looking.
Opening Plant Material
  • Bare Root: Cut open the bundle (top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak roots in buckets of water until planted. Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Keep the roots from full sun since they should never dry out. Keep roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted.
  • B&B: Soak root ball well. Dig a hole at least 6" wider and no deeper than the size of the ball on the plant. Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move trees by the tops.
  • Containers: Completely saturate all container plants by putting them in a larger water container until bubbling stops. Remove the plant, then dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container, ensuring it’s wider on the sides by an additional 6” or more.
Planting Bare Root
  • Plant bare root in fall. A good indicator of whether you can still plant is if the ground is still workable. If a hard frost is expected, hold off on planting.
  • Dig a hole at least 6" wider and the same depth as the root mass. The crown or graft of the plant should be slightly higher than ground level where it was grown at the nursery.
  • Trim off the broken roots and branches.
  • Place fertilizer packets in the hole (if purchased). Do not place other fertilizers in the planting hole. *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
  • Spread the roots and fill halfway with soil, then water until the soil settles completely, saturating the soil and planting pit.
  • Re-adjust the plant and fill the hole with the rest of the soil.
  • Backfill the balance of the soil and water well.
      
Planting B&B Trees
  • Plant B&B trees in spring or fall. A good indicator of whether you can plant is if the ground is still workable. If a hard frost is expected, hold off on planting.
  • Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
  • Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
  • Backfill ½ of the hole with soil and completely saturate the soil with water.
  • Once the tree is straight in the proper location, cut and remove twine. Then, remove or bend back the top of the metal basket. Lastly, remove the exposed burlap from the top of the ball.
  • Fill the hole to the top of the ball with soil, then soak well with water and let settle.
  • The top of the root ball should be visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
  • Add mulch on top of the soil, making sure not to put mulch against the trunk or stems.
Planting containers
  • Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or wider on the sides.
  • Slide the plant from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
  • With a shovel or knife, trim the bottom 2" off the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
  • Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
  • Place the root ball in the hole.
  • Adjust the plant height so the root crown is slightly higher than the ground.
  • Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
  • Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
  • Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
  • Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
  • Check out our Planting & Handling Guide for additional planting instructions and illustrations. 
Pruning - After Planting
  • Bare Root: Prune ALL bare root plants to reduce transplant shock and ensure successful planting. Pruning should occur as soon as possible, before or after planting, and with sharp pruning shears.
  • B&B and Containers: Although it’s not essential after planting, light pruning can help shape a Diablo ninebark. Doing so removes any broken branches from shipping or thins out a heavily branched plant to assist in the transplanting process and the appearance of your new planting.
Pruning - Throughout the Season
  • Pruning for shape and thinning inner branches will likely be all that is necessary to keep growing ninebark shrubs healthy and attractive.
  • Renewal pruning to a foot above the ground can be included in ninebark shrub care during dormancy every few years, but you’ll miss the excellent winter interest of the ninebark’s peeling bark.
Watering - After Planting
  • Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
  • Beyond the six-week establishment period, water once per week unless rain occurs.
  • Remember to check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil around 3”.
Watering - Throughout the Season
  • After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
  • How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it’s dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
  • Same as after planting, stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best growing zone for Diabolo® Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’)
The Diabolo® ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’) is easy to grow as it can thrive in USDA hardiness zones 2 to 7. Although it’s a low-maintenance plant, this purple ninebark does not do well in intense summer heat and high humidity, such as in USDA zones 8 and above. It’s best to prepare for potential issues such as fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, in these hot and humid conditions.

Does Diabolo® Ninebark need overwintering?
Ninebarks are hardy shrubs that don’t require winter protection. If you’re planting a Diablo ninebark at the lower end of its zone range, you may need to apply a thick layer of mulch to insulate roots from the cold. Diabolo® ninebark plants in containers should be moved to a covered porch, unheated garage, or insulating silo until winter passes.

Where is the best place to plant ninebark?
Planting ninebark is an excellent choice for various aesthetic additions. You can use them for mass planting as a good background plant or an accent for woodland or wild gardens. Diablo® ninebarks also work well when used as foundations or incorporated into a hedge. Keep in mind that ninebark shrubs need ample space for their arching branch pattern to spread fully.

What are the common pests encountered by ninebark?
Established ninebark shrubs do not have issues with major pests. However, these plants can still be susceptible to aphids. To avoid large infestations, simply spray the plant with a steady stream of water to knock the pests off.

What are the common diseases encountered by ninebark?
Purple ninebark can be susceptible to powdery mildew, fireblight, and leaf spots. However, these conditions are unlikely to be fatal. Most of these issues can be remedied by simply removing the affected branches.

Planting & Handling Help

Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.

Learn More

Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.

Plant Sizing

What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?

Shipping Times

Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.

 

Shipping Dates by Region*

 

Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th

Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th

Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th

Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th

Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th

 

Shipping Dates by Season*

 

Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May

Fall Shipping: September - November

 

Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.