Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'
Good Qualities:
Vigorous growth, easy to grow, nice dark clean foliage, foliage is useful in design to add height and structure; Vigorous grower, great foliage color, easy size leaf to use; Foliage is better than flowers, easy to grow, foliage - 1 week if hydrated well.
Problems:
None; Bugs late, when burgundy color is 'in'; No market.
Trial Data
| Plants Flowering (%) | Plants Dead at End of summer (%) | Yield (stems/plant) (1) | Stem Length (inches) (1) | Market Appreciation Rating (2) | Repeat Again Rating (2) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 100.0 | 0 | 14 | 28.7 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Range of Responses | 100 | 0 | 2-30 | 14-36 | 1-5 | 2-5 | 5 |
(1) Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
(2) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Comments:
Three trialers reported the postharvest life as 5, 7, and 14 days, respectively; I did not get to them in time to cut flowers, only the foliage; Bird poop shows, Stem length on mature bushes for foliage 3-4 feet, Will try cutting back in midsummer for cleaner smaller stems of foliage in fall.