What is this shrub? Its dark leaves are the strongest clue
The almost black-purple, shallowly lobed leaves point clearly to one shrub. Here is what identifies it, and why its position in the border matters so much to its colour.
The shrub in the photograph is a dark-leaved variety of ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius. The deep purple leaves, shallow lobes and dense, bushy habit all fit well.
It grows outdoors in sun or partial shade. It usually does best in well-drained soil that does not dry out completely, with normal to slightly moist conditions. More sun generally brings out a deeper leaf colour, while partial shade works well if the soil retains moisture. It copes surprisingly well with ordinary garden soils provided it is not left waterlogged for long.
At the end of August in Sweden, a newly planted shrub is best left to settle and root before autumn. Avoid hard pruning now; more substantial shaping is better done in late winter or early spring. To help it establish where it is, keep the soil evenly moist initially and add a thin layer of organic material around the shrub without covering its stem.
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