I put a tomato plant and a flower plants in pots next to a nine bark bush and they died a week later, but the petunias are fine and thriving.
If they were in container, then the Ninebark didn't kill them. The toxicity happens at the soil level, and if they don't share the same soil, then something else killed your plants.
It will be hard to say what, without photos, and knowing the care that they received, and quite a bit of other information. I can say that your shrub did not kill them, though.
I pruned the shrub about two weeks ago. Have been watering it frequently during this very hot, humid spell we are experiencing here in Maine. I just noticed yesterday that there are leaves on the "inside" of the shrub which have turned color. They are not dropping off yet but look as though they may.
Hot, humid, and wet describes the perfect conditions for infections to set in. Combine this with pruning at this time, and that will be a recipe for disaster!
Pruning should take place during the mild portions of the year, or best, during dormancy.
From here, you will need to treat with a fungicide. Care will also require that you only water when the soil is completely dry down to about 3 or 4 inches.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/ninebark/growing-ninebark-shrubs.htm
One wk ago my summer wine black ninebark was growing and budding. It now appears dying or dead. Would appreciate advice on hopefully how to revive. Thank you.
These plants are susceptible to powdery mildew. Try a light trim for now to remove dead stems and branches, and feed your plant. In late fall, you can hard-prune it down to a foot tall. Here's some info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/ninebark/growing-ninebark-shrubs.htm
I would like to know if I can turn the ninebark tree form back into a shrub by cutting it all the way back, and when would be the best time to do that? Late winter/early spring? Is the tree form genetically different from the shrub or is it trained to be a tree?
They are pruned into a tree form so when you cut yours back in late winter or early spring, it should send up several new shoots.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/physocarpus-opulifolius-summer-wine/
Amber Jubilee Physocarpus has developed crinkled black leafs we have had a lot of rain as I am sure you are aware of only 2 seasons on did not look right when first planted was green instead of golden brown yellow and slightly orange in colour would be grateful for your advise cheers
We are based out of the US, so I am not as familiar with your weather patterns, as I am ours. From what I DO know- There is always a lot of rain.
With wet weather, there is a need to choose plants that will adapt to that. The other issue is that they will require a cold period throughout the year. These shrubs are only suitable for our USDA zones 2-7. The coldest your country gets, in any area, is equivalent to our zone 8. This is just a little too warm for this shrub, year round. (Rather, it does not get cold enough for this shrub). Much of your country is zone 9, though. This is too far out of the range for this shrubs to be comfortable.
All of these things, together, will make it very difficult to keep this shrub alive for long.
I would choose something suited to your area.
Here is more information on the Physocarpus:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/ninebark/growing-ninebark-shrubs.htm
Here is an article that will suggest plants that will do well in your area:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/wet-soil-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/shade-plants-for-wet-sites.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/fegen/fruit-trees-in-wet-conditions.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/water-plants/wgen/water-tolerant-plants.htm
My Little Devil ninebark plants have webs on some of the new growth.
Unfortunately, your photo did not come through. I suspect one of two possiblities. It is, either, a spider mite infestation, or tentworms! Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/spider-mite-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/spider-mite-treatment.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/tent-worms-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/ninebark/growing-ninebark-shrubs.htm
winter? We are in Northwest Ohio
Typically, this is done in very early spring, during dormancy, but right before growth starts for the year. You can choose to do so, right as it enters dormancy for the year, though. They can survive much colder temperatures than it will go down to in your area, so I wouldn't worry about the cold, too much.
Here are a couple of articles that will help: