Spiraeaspp.
arboraceous shrubs give wonderful body structure to gardens and landscapes . And one that add together pretty bloom , luminous leaf , and multi - time of year gloss give even greater value – like spiraea .
Beloved by rookie and green thumb gardeners alike , theirmulti - season dish , gentle care , and fast increase make it one of the most pop of flowering shrub .
With a long - lasting efflorescence time , fine - textured foliage , and varying sizes , they ’re suited for any landscape , and can beused as groundcover , hedging , in aggregated planting , or in perennial beds .
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And new cultivars are even more various with tidier growth and spectacular multi - season coloration .
connect us now for a look at the upright direction to grow beautiful spiraea .
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and History
Spiraea , commonly spell spirea , is a genus of over 80 woody shrub in the Rosaceae ( rose ) home . aboriginal to temperate zone in the Northern Hemisphere , the outstanding diverseness of species is found in easterly China .
cite from the Hellenic countersign speira , which entail spiraling , it refer to their lei - like presentation of showy , small flowers . Growing in aggroup panicle , flat - topped corymb , or clusters in colors of mauve , pink , red , rose , and white , each lilliputian prime looks like a mini orchard apple tree flower with five petal and numerous stamens .
Thesehardy deciduous plantshave simpleton , lancelike leaves , typically with jaggy margins , that are fix up alternately along the stems .
Plants are classified as either spring or summertime flowering , and both types are prise for their carefree ontogeny , abundant flowers , and true var. .
Spring blooming metal money , like bridalwreath , have a graceful cascading habit with masses of white flowers that blossom in April and May perch along stoop branches .
summertime inflorescence plants display flowers of pink , ruddy , or lily-white that perch atop upright stems and bloom from June to August .
Andthe colour does n’t discontinue in the autumn , spirea displays beautiful red foliage in the fall .
shrub are mostlydeer resistantandattract butterfliesandother pollinators . Typically , plants are hardy in Zones 4 - 9 although some are more passion or stale tolerant .
Spirea Bush Propagation
The most reliable method of propagation are by hardwood or deal cuttings and solid ground layering .
translate our detailed usher to spirea propagation here .
How to Grow Spirea Shrubs
Spirea are superbly carefree and easy to uprise .
They do well when planted in stain of average fecundity with a electroneutral or more or less acidic pH.
in the main , they ’re not heavy feeders and over - fertilizing should be stave off to foreclose urban sprawl . A light coating of a balanced , time release plant food ( 10 - 10 - 10 ) applied in the leaping offer enough nutrition for the year .
They also require excellent drainage , and heavy filth should be amend with fine grit or sharp Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin as need .
plant require a full Dominicus to wanton subtlety location , with saltation flowering specimens better suited to partial shade than summer flowering unity .
To imbed , drudge a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball . Sprinkle the planting hollow with bone meal .
softly loosen any twisted roots and place the etymon ball in the yap then backfill with the remote soil and house in place . Water gently to settle down and cover with a 2 to 3 - in bed of compost .
Spirea are drought tolerant but need to be water regularly until set up .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
Spirea will benefit from yearly maintenance as well as the occasional hard pruning . And because they ’re firm growers , a liberal pruning has negligible impingement to flowering – if done at the right time .
Spring flowering kind bloom on old growth from the previous class and need to be crop properly after flowering .
Spring canes can be rationalize aright to the ground or trim back to any duration to keep growth stocky .
Summer flower varieties bloom mostly on fresh wood from this yr ’s growth , so these are pruned in the winter following flowering .
polish off any bushed wood and cut lightly to regulate .
If summertime bloomers become overgrown , a more vigorous pruning may be take . veer back by as much as two - thirds in wintertime when plant are dormant .
And both categories will also enjoy a light shear after flowering to remove spent blooms , boost reblooming , and invigorate foliage .
Find more crown on pruning spiraea shrub here .
Robert Frost resistant , established plants do n’t involve anyspecial wintertime concern . However , new bush planted in tardy summer or fall should bemulched to protect roots from the cold .
And any container plants should be strike to a sheltered location or wrapped with insulating material to protect roots from freezing temperatures .
Spirea Cultivars to Select
There are many spirea cultivars to choose from , but here ’s a few of our favourite .
Japanese (Spiraea japonica)
Nipponese spirea is a garden favorite and it offers the bombastic mixture in terms of cultivars , blossom color , leaf colour , and size . They feature large clusters of pinkish , empurpled , rosy red , or white flush in belated spring to mid - summertime with fine textured leafage that add excellent declination color .
Sizes rate from low - originate dwarf multifariousness of under 3 feet , small growers of 3 to 5 feet , and medium specimen of 5 to 8 foundation . They have a dumb , rounded maturation habit with flowers shape on new growing and should be pruned in late winter or very early spring .
Hardy in zona 3 to 8 , they ’re deer repellent and appeal butterflies . Japanese spirea make a honest foundation or specimen flora , and are attractive in beds , big containers , mixed - shrub landscape , as a depressed border or hedging , and when planted in groups .
Although this is democratic landscaping plant in many locations around the world , it can become invasivein wetter fix such as the US midwest and east seashore . Check with your local gardening or agriculture outreach , university reference , or other standardized organizations before planting if this is a concern .
you may feel a good natural selection of Japanese spireaat Nature Hills Nurseryorfind detailed planting and aid teaching here .
Bridalwreath, (Spiraea prunifolia)
Bridalwreath spirea is an quondam - fashioned classic that ’s quickly realize by its cascades of tiny , double - petaled livid flowers on upright , curve limb . Flowers seem in profuse clusters on bare branches before leaf come out in former spring .
One of the largest metal money , bridalwreath get 4 to 8 feet high with a 6 to 8 feet diffuse and a loose , natural spring - like outgrowth . In fall , the finely serrated foliageturns shades of orange , crimson , and white-livered for extended interest . Hardy in zone 3 - 8 , they bloom on erstwhile Ellen Price Wood and should be pruned now after florescence .
Bridalwreath Spirea
Deer resistant and attractive to butterflies , bridalwreath can be used in borders , foundations , hedgerow , and cheery landscape margins .
you’re able to find it at Nature Hills Nursery .
Or learn more about like for bridalwreath here .
Birchleaf (Spiraea betulifolia)
Birchleaf spirea has clusters of humble white flowers that incubate the leaf in later spring to former summer . A summary , rounded shrub , it grows 3 to 4 foot tall and has a standardized paste . Dark green leave-taking are rounded and birch tree - comparable , summate rich autumn color when they move around vibrant shade of orange , over-embellished , and red .
Birchleaf blooms in summertime and should be prune in late wintertime or early spring . Shear light after flowering to encourage reblooming . Hardy in Zones 4 - 8 .
Deer resistant and attractive to butterflies , birchleaf spirea get a spectacular groundwork or specimen plant and is attractive planted in bed , chemical group , and rockery .
you’re able to find birchleaf spirea onlineat Nature Hills Nurseryorfind growing tips here .
Want More Options ?
Be indisputable to check out our favorite selections in this guide:9 of the Best Types of Spirea Shrubs for Your Garden .
Managing Pests and Disease
Spirea rarely ache from any serious disease or pest problems .
However , being in the roseate family , they are occasionally susceptible to some of the same afflictionssuch as aphidsand spider mites as well aspowdery mildew .
Both aphids and spider hint can be controlled with a unassailable jet-propelled plane of water to the top and bottom of leaves and stems . Or , an insecticidal soap or nebuliser of neem oil color is also effective against job insects . Reapply both method acting as needed .
you’re able to also addbeneficial insects to your garden , like lacewings or ladybugs , for a natural manner to see to it teasing insects .
A fungus that attack many plant , powdery mold is easy to discern from its pale dusting of spore on leaves and flowers that causes scrawny emergence and foliage drop .
Remove any infected share and check proper air circulation and spacing plus a full sunlight positioning – powdery mould thrives in nerveless , crowded , and dampen condition . If persistent , a fungicide software may be needed .
Quick Reference Growing Chart
Best Uses in the Garden
Spirea make an excellent foundation or specimen plant in the landscape painting , in mixed perennial bed , in large groupings for edge or hedges , or planted en masse shot for a screen .
Low - growing varieties make a nice addition to pocket-size garden and are well - suited to molding , container , groundcovers , low hedges along footpath and sidewalks , and rockeries .
And the flowers also make a long - survive accession to flowered arrangements as well .
For Every Garden
After learning about this various garden bush , are you inclined to add some to your landscape ?
heavy or low , saltation or summer flowering , there ’s a spirea suitable for every garden . Just give them sunlight , enough elbow joint room to grow , and in effect drainage for an abundance of pretty flowers , fine foliage , andlovely come down colors .
And if spirea is your thing , don’t miss out on our other care and produce guidessuch as :
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About
Lorna Kring
