It’s not a maple or sweetgum, but I always look forward to the brightly colored leaves of the Eastern Ninebark shrub in my backyard.
I planted it five years ago; it’s a native shrub to Michigan. And one of the easiest plants to grow.
The Eastern Ninebark can grow in sun or partial-shade, though I have it in full sun. And I can prune it anytime.
And it never disappoints year-round.
In spring, it has yellow-orange-green foilage. Small white flowers appear in spring/early summer.
A gorgeous display of colorful orange-red leave in fall eventually turn purple before they fall to the ground.
In winter, birds perch on the branches and forage on the ground underneath.
