Guessing from your post you are in the Chicago area. I am in Minnesota and put in 2 different Ninebarks approx 3 years ago.
1) Tiny Wine...leaves are small and burgundy colored, very dense shrub. On NE corner of house where there are no trees shading it. Now is approx 3.5 ft tall. On R side in attached picture.
2) Amber Jubilee...leaves are larger than #1 and amber colored. Also very dense. On East side of house where there are no trees shading it. Now is approx 4 ft tall. On L side in picture.
Eastern Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius First Editions® Amber Jubilee®)
Really like both shrubs. They are flowering in the July 4th picture. Planning to put in 2 more...having trouble deciding which one to use because I like them both.
