Diablo Ninebark vs Black Crowberry - TreeTime.ca

Diablo Ninebark vs Black Crowberry

Physocarpus opulifolius Diablo

Empetrum nigrum

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

CUSTOM GROW

Diablo Ninebark
Black Crowberry

Diablo Ninebark is a small, low maintenance, multi-stemmed shrub, that is used to add texture or color to any yard. This plant grows dark purple leaves in the spring and grows slightly faster than Common Ninebark. It features flaky red to brown bark, clusters of white flowers, and long, maple-like leaves. Diablo Ninebark can make a dense and colorful hedge, or it can be an attractive ornamental by itself.

Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spiral around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates they have a sweet, tart taste, and are dried, used in deserts, or for making jams or jellies.
It provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. Its ability to grow in harsh climates makes it an important species for ecological balance.
Black Crowberry has historical significance as it provided a vital food source for the indigenous cultures of the arctic regions. It is abundant in Scandinavia and is used to make liqueurs, wines, and juices. In Newfoundland and Labrador the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are used in jams, jellies and baked goods like buns and puddings.

Diablo Ninebark Quick Facts

Black Crowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 0.4 m (1.3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: low growing, matt-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: reddish-purple
Foliage: evergreen needle-like leaves
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: brown to red, exfoliating
Flowers: white
Flowers: pink-red, very small
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Berries: red
Berries: purplish-black, edible
Flavor: bland, slightly bitter
Harvest: late summer to fall
Seeds: inflated seed capsules
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: eastern ninebark, purple ninebark
Other Names: crakeberry, curlewberry, heathberry, northern crowberry