Japanese name: アメリカテマリシモツケ Scientific name:Physocarpus opulifolius
[Overview]
A deciduous shrub 1–3 m tall.
The bark peels off in thin layers.
It spreads by sending out suckers.
It branches well, and the branches extend in arches to form a rounded shape.
The leaves are alternate, broadly ovate, about 3–12 cm long, usually 3–5-lobed, with irregular serrations on the margin.
The petiole is 0.8–2.4 cm long.
The leaves turn red in autumn.
Corymbs about 5–6.5 cm across at the branch tips bear many pale pink or white flowers 5–6 mm across with 5 petals.
The flowers have many long, protruding stamens.
The fruit is a follicle.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, cuttings, or suckers.
It prefers sun to partial shade and well-drained, fertile, acidic soil.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long spell of sunny weather and the soil becomes severely dry.
Apply organic fertilizer in winter and after flowering as a thank-you fertilizer.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
