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Ninebark is a deciduous type of ornamental shrub aboriginal to North America. This shrub generally grows densely and supposed to have some medicinal properties because of which it is being made use for curing body sores. Physocarpus opulifolius is a variety of Ninebark commonly grows in United States, which is also referred as “Diablo Ninebark”, whereas in the western coastal areas of North America is observed widely with another variety of shrub belonging to the Ninebark family called Physocarpus capitatus.
The shrub is likely to grow to a maximum height of about nine to ten feet in a healthy backyard garden. Even though the plant requires less care for its growth, it is the duty of the gardener to inspect once in a while for any infestation or pest attack in the plant to keep it healthy and purposeful throughout its life time. Since the shrub cannot endure a high temperature it is adopted in a shady area within the garden area. Most of the gardeners make a mistake at this juncture by planting the shrubs closely to other ornamental plants for avoiding sunrays. This practice ultimately becomes the factor for the usual ornamental plant fungus to establish between the foliage due to the increased humidity in the surrounding.
In addition, during the flowering months from May to July the plant invites insects like aphids that are well known to leave honeydew like substance, which is also one of the catalysts to promote plant fungus. These two reasons help the fungus to proliferate intensively depositing white colored powder like material over the leaves of the plants, and it is supposedly called Powdery Mildew.
Mildews are the common phenomenon of ornamental plants which has a key characteristic of spreading to the entire plant area or garden if it is left uncared. The deposits on leaves deny the process of photosynthesis in plants and eventually cause drying of leaves and withers at last. It is indispensable to take proper steps to cure the infestation as well as to protect the shrub from the further effect of Mildew.
Cultural method of plantation should be altered, the first step to provide ample space between every plant and secondly avoid over-watering. Spray of effective pesticide or fungicide product in the garden during the flowering season will help the fungus causing pests to stay away from the plants. Organic fungicide like Neem oil can be given a trial to control the further spread of fungus to other plants. Neem oil can also serve as a biological pesticide on its spray in the garden. Note: Consult a gardening expert for using Neem oil.
Author: Adam Teaser - neem
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