Physocarpus capitatus

Identification

Description

(Note: This is another one that has problems botanically. This description is for the Sierra form.) A 5 ft. upright deciduous bush with tiny white flowers in 3-5" clusters, May-July. Native to the Sierra Nevada to B. C., Mont., Utah. It likes part shade in hot locations along with garden water. It becomes a drought tolerant plant for the sunny areas at higher elevations or coastal situations. Its bark peels showing several layers, interesting texture. The leaves are like a small grapes or currant. The fall color can be intense red to orange. The spring flower show is delightful. The shape of the plant looked like a bouquet when it was in flower.[RIP assoc. with many communities, MIX,YEL,CHAP ][C][YR,WR][pH 5-7] The Coastal form of this seems to be a groundcover. I would say its hardiness is less than the sierra species as we lost our gallon plants in the 1990 freeze. It will sprawl for 6-10' in each direction rooting as it goes. It will become perfectly drought tolerant in the coastal areas. It will tolerate a lot of water when it's dormant (even standing). During the summer this spot dries out to the point of a bog. It grows under Sycamores and Black Cottonwoods.(Populus and Platanus) It tolerates serpentine soil.