Bloomipedia
Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus)
Photo: giantcicada via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Pacific ninebark

Physocarpus capitatus

Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) is a shrub in the Rosaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–June across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Pacific ninebark is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.

5states where USDA records it
2Bloomipedia state lists include it
6,072U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Oregon, Washington

Quick look

Physocarpus capitatus, commonly called Pacific ninebark or tall ninebark, is a species of Physocarpus in the rose family native to western North America.

  • It belongs to the Rosaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 5 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Oregon and Washington. NatureServe
  • In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 8 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 2,465 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #65 among the 184 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,981 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #99 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (465 records)
Bloom time in the 2 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
OregonNativeMay–June2,465
WashingtonNativeMay–June1,981

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Oregon
Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: AK (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records Pacific ninebark in 5 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Yamhill.

Washington counties with USDA records: Clallam, Clark, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Pacific ninebark a high shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.5 to 7.0 and winter lows down to -33 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
Low
Moisture use
Low
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium
Soil pH range
6.5 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated
-33 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
90
Annual precipitation range
20 to 80 inches
Minimum root depth
20 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Low
Growth rate
Rapid
Lifespan
Long
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Red · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for PHCA11. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Native; Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 85 counties across 4 states; the most are in California (31), Oregon (24), Washington (22).

Other Physocarpus on Bloomipedia (2): Common ninebark, Mallow-leaf ninebark.

More from the Rosaceae family (103 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, Mock strawberry, Black cherry, Toyon, Thimbleberry, Wineberry, Black raspberry.

More Oregon flowers

Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)

Thimbleberry

Rubus parviflorus

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: May–June
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: March–May
Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis)

Osoberry

Oemleria cerasiformis

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: February–April

Sources