A medium-size, shade-tolerant shrub with beautiful flowers and attractive fall color. An understory species, mallow ninebark is perfect for creating an extra layer below established trees. It will tolerate full sun with a little extra water. Ninebark deals with intense summer drought by bringing on the fall foliage a month or two early. There are cultivars available in nurseries, but ninebarks bred for color (a purple-leaf variety comes to mind) don't provide the nectar resources that our wildtype does.  When in doubt, go native!