Ninebark IMO is a FAR superior plant to flowering almond. Aside from the pest and disease issues inherent in prunus-dom, flowering almond is just a rank shrub. Looks nice for maybe 7 days while in bloom and a dull, twiggy, crappy mess the rest of the year. Ninebark is relatively free of serious pest/disease problems, is quite adaptable to difficult growing conditions and provides much more in the way of year-round interest. Nice flowers in the spring, attractive foliage (particularly in the cultivar you've picked) the rest of the summer, and interesting exfoliating bark in the winter. It's still not the most exciting shrub in the world, but it sure as heck beats flowering almond.

Dan

I removed a Summer WIne this year after it got fungus really really bad. The prior year or two, it had a handful of oddball looking leaves, but this year (after a super wet spring), it turned incredibly white with fungus. And the soil and area is average normal soil, nothing extreme.

I removed it to protect two other Summer Wine's on the property.

I consider my experience rare and as I said I am only bringing it up because of your wet conditions. The risk is there for problems.

I would stick with something that absolutely likes wet conditions to increase your chances of success. removing failing plants is no fun.

The key to success is a moist (not wet) soil in full sun.

But a wet spring and humidity can effect this plant no matter what.

My Summer Wine is in a decent location and only gets traces of PM.

My Diablos on the other hand where in a dry location and the previous wet springs and humidity reaked havoc on them. I've since cut them to the ground and transplanted (early spring)...they are doing better now.

I have Summer Wine in shade, near a roof line it is gets some PM because of the moisture. My plant in full sun is clean.