Physocarpus opulifolius Sweet Cherry Tea ('Zlebic5')
A compact, deciduous shrub with eye catching deep orangy red new shoots, which become a deep cherry red heading into the summer. To add to the attraction this shrub is repeat flowering, firstly in late spring and again in late summer producing clusters of pink flowers twice in one year
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Orange Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Purple Red | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Physocarpus are bushy deciduous suckering shrubs with palmately lobed leaves and corymbs of small cream flowers in early summer, followed by small, bladdery brown fruits
- Name status
Trade
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best in acidic, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil. Will tolerate alkaline conditions, but chlorosis may occur on shallow chalk
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or pot up suckers in the autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 2. Remove up to one in four of the oldest stems in summer after first flowering, for a healthy vigorous shrub
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
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