By pruning your spirea twice a year, you will ensure your plant will continue to thrive. Birchleaf spirea is a great small, rounded shrub, reaching 3 to 4 feet high. A 2-inch layer of mulch around the shrub helps the soil hold moisture. Plants shipped with great care! Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that feed in clusters near where the leaves attach to the stems. Many varieties have attractive foliage as well as flowers, providing interest for most of the growing season. An old clump with a dead or dying center and lots of healthy growth around the edges can be lifted and split with a saw or sharp pruning shears, just like a perennial. In autumn, foliage changes to russet tones that retain their beauty to the holidays. Magic carpet spirea is a variety of spirea that can be grown as a ground cover if you hadn’t already guessed that by the name. This Spirea is adaptable and will thrive in most soils and those with varying PH levels. Spider mites and aphids sometimes infest spirea. Remove spent flowers to promote continuous bloom. tall. No matter what color the flowers are, bees and butterflies will be drawn to them. If you're looking for an informal hedge or specimen plant, choose S. nipponica, S. prunifolia or S. vanhouttei, which grow to between 5 and 9 feet tall. Or set them near clumps of hostas that will take some sun. In winter, water only when the soil around the shrub is in danger of completely drying out. And you’ll find tips on how to take care of them so they always look their best, too. You can use pruning shears and cut one at a time or hedge clippers and … Goldmound Spirea The Gold Mound Spirea is a fabulous easy-care shrub that brings bright golden … Cutting grown. It grows well in neutral soil but can be grown in slightly acidic soil. This is one versatile shrub — it’ll feel at home in almost any situation. Choose neighbors for them that have a coarser texture to create interesting contrasts. Special features of spiraeas Easy care/low maintenance. Jackie Carroll has been a freelance writer since 1995. Apply a 2-inch layer of compost around the base of the spirea shrub every year in late winter or early spring. Easy to care for, spirea is a great plant for beginner and expert gardeners alike. Narrow purple spikes of salvia or upright plumes of astilbe add nice variety. Pruning spirea after a couple of years will rejuvenate the plant. The Homeowner's Complete Tree & Shrub Handbook; Penelope O'Sullivan. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Your Handy Shrub Pruning Guide This Japanese spirea has lighter pink flower heads with a few white blooms sprinkled in to give it a much softer look. University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension: Spirea, Contra Costa County Master Gardeners: April in the Contra Costa Garden, Instructions for How to Prune Daphne Odora, How to Care for the Plant Called Minuet Weigela. The vibrant yellow leaves are topped in late spring by flat clusters of bright pink blooms that resemble yarrow. Early spring flowers are pink and cover the plant over a long period. Their longlasting flowers or colorful foliage will give you something to look at all summer. Spirea blooms consistently and profusely on new wood after some time the plant begins to look a bit bedraggled with few blooms. As Spirea Japonica naturally grows near bogs and wetland areas. You Might Also Like: Korean spirea and birchleaf spirea are two of the best that both bloom white. Keep in mind that you won’t (probably can’t!) Spireas have no major insect pests or diseases so their foliage always looks good. And ones that add pretty flowers, luminous foliage, and multi-season color give even greater value – like spirea. Prune these … How To Plant, Prune, Fertilize, Water And Care For Summer Flowering Japanese Spirea Posted by Brent Wilson on 11/25/2016 to Fertilizing & Watering Tips When planted right and in the right spot, Japanese Spirea shrubs are exceptionally easy to grow and care for. The flowers on the triumphans spirea are a vibrant pink color that will catch the eye of anyone passing by. All you need to do to get the best flowers and keep the shrub tidy is some pruning. Spirea Care Fertilizing. The various species and cultivars of spirea grows well in U.S. Department of agriculture zones 4 through 8, but some varieties have tighter restrictions, so check the plant tag or catalog description before choosing your plant. Mid-sized plants, including most varieties of S. x cineria show best in foundation plantings and shrub borders. Several of the older Japanese spirea, such as ‘Anthony Waterer’, are invasive in some areas, especially along the East Coast. May be difficult to find in local nurseries. Four Season Garden Border Plan But most of the rest of the types stay under 5 feet, or shorter with a little pruning. Small-flowered orange and scarlet varieties reach 30 inches high. Rodale's Landscape Problem Solver; Jeff Ball, et al. ‘Crispa’ Japanese spirea has leaves that are deeply serrated with a ruffled edge. At just 3 to 4 feet tall, it’s perfect in the middle to back of a border. Use a slow-release organic fertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions. More robust pink and white varieties reach 5 feet high. On some cultivars, such as ‘Neon Flash’, ‘Magic Carpet’ and the Double Play® series, new growth has a burgundy tint that slowly ages to green. Type Shrub kill a spirea by pruning it. Spirea Pink (summer blooming), includes A. W., Daphne, Dolchica, Goldflame, Goldmound, Limemoumd, Little Princess, Magic Carpet, Neon Flash, Norman, Shirobana and Japanese White. A little-known fact is that you can dig and divide most spireas. A favorite of many gardeners, Spiraea (Spirea) are deciduous shrubs that provide many seasons of care-free enjoyment in the landscape. ‘Anthony Waterer’ Japanese spirea, a cultivar that has been around for generations. Whether you have a small or a large garden, spireas really shine in shrub borders. Spring bloomers can be pruned right after the flowers are gone. ‘Lemon Princess’ and ‘Goldflame’ also sport bright foliage. In a large garden, along a tall shrub border, place a few mounding spireas as an edging. All rights reserved. Neon Flash spirea bushes will flower again if you deadhead or lightly trim them after the initial blooming. Some, like the well-known Vanhoutte spirea, often called “bridalwreath,” can grow to be more than 8 feet tall. Korean spirea and birchleaf spirea are two of the best that both bloom white. Woody shrubs give wonderful structure to gardens and landscapes. It has tiny white stars along the stems that open about the same time as daffodils, which differentiates itself from most cultivars of spireas which bloom in early to midsummer with flat clusters of fuzzy flowers. care Prefers average, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. © Copyright 2020. In the Southeast corner of the Community Education Garden, a section of Washington native plants segues to a blended home garden of shrubs, trees and perennials. CARE Grows easily in average, well-drained soils; tolerates a wide range of soil types. From red buds white and deep pink bloom clusters cover this dwarf, dense, mounded plant in summer. From broiling hot to bitter cold, it survives, and even thrives. Foliage turns a rich, russet … Planting Instructions Plant in spring or fall. It produces abundant clusters of white, light pink, rosy red or purple flowers that adorn the branches in late spring and summer. Spirea comes in a wide range of sizes and types, each with its own uses in the landscape. Low Maintenance Garden Bed. The two-tone effect is charming up close or in cut flower bouquets. Spireas tolerate difficult conditions, such as clay and shade, but they’ll give you bigger flowers and more robust growth in full sun and well-drained soil. Prune summer-blooming spirea bushes during the winter or in the spring. Blooms White clusters in late spring and bright yellow foliage that ages to orange in fall Light Full sun to part shade Size 3 to 5 ft. tall and wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8. Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica): Available in a wide array of cultivars, Japanese spirea offers the most variety in terms of size, flower color, and leaf color. In fact, if they’re overfed with nitrogen, they grow lush and leafy with few flowers. There’s a lot to love — they’re nearly pest-free and bloom for weeks. Most spirea have fine-textured foliage. Feed spirea plants twice per year, once in spring and again in fall, to encourage new growth. Some prune the remaining branches in early spring (these spirea bushes bloom on new wood) to within a foot or so of the ground, to encourage vigorous new growth. Blooms Deep red-pink flowers in late spring and early summer, reblooming again in late summer or early autumn Light Full sun to part shade Size 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8, Type Shrub Remove damaged and diseased canes any time of year. Adding mulch around the plant will help retain moisture and regular summer watering will promote healthy blooms and growth. The flowers are bright on this Anthony Waterer Spirea. For dark green, healthy-looking foliage, spray the shrub with half-strength liquid fertilizer or seaweed extract monthly for three months beginning after the last spring frost or after temperatures begin to warm in the spring if your climate is frost-free. Symptoms include webbing and small, light-colored dots where they feed. They start out a stunning crimson and fade into a rosy-pink. Apply a 2-inch layer of compost around the base of the spirea shrub every year in late winter or early spring. Apply the water slowly and stop when the water begins to run off. COSMOS Cosmos Hybrids - Popular plants that bloom all summer until frost. Spirea comes in variable sizes , depending upon cultivarTypically 2 to 3 feet high and 3 to 5 feet wide, but some cultivars can go up to 5 to 6 feet high and wide. Many of the newer cultivars are not a problem. Pruning spirea after a couple of years will rejuvenate the plant. They turn late, so if you have an early killing frost, they may not change at all. Spirea shrubs are a great addition to any garden with the beautiful blooms it provides every year. Ageratum houstonianum - Mid to late summer bloomer with fluffy heads of blue; sometimes in white or pink. Bright gold foliage is accented with striking red leaf tips. Garland spirea rarely needs much trimming, but if you want to tidy up the shape, cut it back right after the flowers fade. With a long-lasting bloom time, fine-textured foliage, and variable sizes, they’re suitable f… Spirea looks best when it is pruned annually. Work the compost into the top of the soil, but take care not to damage the shrub's root. Spiraea Japonica 'Little Princess' is a fast growing shrub that can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4A through 9B. Be sure to trim after blooms are spent for re-bloom. One is sure to be just the right fit for that tough spot in your flower bed, shrub border or foundation planting. Once planted, the care of spirea requires a minimal time investment. When it comes to summer-flowering cultivars, check out three easy ways to prune them, as well as the best time of year to do it, here. Spireas are fast growers, maturing in just a couple of years in ideal conditions. You may want to check with your county extension service before you plant any spirea in your garden. Prune spring-blooming types soon after the blossoms fade and summer-blooming varieties in winter. Blooms Two-tone pink and white clusters in summer Light Full sun to part shade Size 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, Double Play® Red spirea (Spiraea japonica), Type Shrub Since spirea blossoms are mainly flat clusters, contrast the flower shapes you plant nearby. Summer-blooming spirea also tolerates cutting back close to the ground, but you sacrifice the season's flowers with severe pruning. Even when you start with small sizes they’ll take off quickly. You can see its autumn color above. Magic carpet spirea flowering shrub is ideal for borders, containers, cutting gardens or groundcover. Because it’s so durable, it’s found in every mall and gas station planting you drive past. Remove about one-third of the canes each year. Her home-and-garden and nature articles have appeared in "Birds & Blooms" and "Alamance Today." The 3- to 5-feet-high shrub starts out with lovely white umbel-shaped flowers, followed by fine-textured, light green foliage that eventually changes to a bronzy-orange fall color. Full sun. Plus they’re easy to prune or fine if you leave them alone. Goldmound spirea has extremely bold golden yellow foliage which is accented by nice pink flower heads. Insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays give temporary relief, but these insecticides only kill the insects they come into direct contact with. For summer-blooming spirea, here are some of the best: Not all of summer-blooming spireas have pink flowers. Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish root system; once established maintain evenly moist soil. It has average water needs and needs moist well drained soil. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. She holds a Bachelor of Science in medical technology from the University of North Carolina. The insects excrete honeydew that becomes infested with sooty mold, leaving black spots on the foliage. Like every princess, Japanese spirea “Little Princess” (Spiraea japonica "Little Princess") needs an occasional haircut to keep it tidy and beautiful. Not all of summer-blooming spireas have pink flowers. Never fertilize the shrub in fall. Falls into two categories, spring-blooming and summer-blooming with white or carmine-pink flowers Infestations result in yellow, distorted leaves. Vanhoutte spirea (S. vanhouttei), the classic bridal wreath spirea, grows up to 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide, so give it plenty of elbow room. And you won’t have to do lots of summer pruning to keep them from covering windows. A strong spray of water helps control a light infestation of aphids or spider mites. A compact woody shrub, the "Pink Parasols" spirea (Spiraea fritschiana "Pink Parasols") is a low-maintenance, colorful addition to any landscape. 1 foot high. Blooms Bright pink clusters in summer and deeply serrated foliage Light Full sun to part shade Size 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, Type Shrub Fall fertilization encourages a growth spurt, and tender, young shoots are easily damaged by frost. Best in full sun. This Japanese spirea has lighter pink flower heads with a few white blooms sprinkled in to give it a much softer look. It matures to an average height of 2 feet to 3 feet and an average width of 3 feet to 4 feet, depending on climate and other environmental factors. Garden Care. Masses of small, white flower clusters cover the plant in the spring. Mature size is around 3' tall and wide. By Jessica Westover. Gardeners in climates above zone 9 may grow the plants when summers aren't too hot or they provide protection from afternoon sun. With a mixture of spirea cultivars, you can get blossoms all season long. Grows to approx. It prefers fertile, loamy and well-drained soil but also adapts to poor and dry soils. But, it’s a common complaint that these small shrubs start to look ugly after a season or two. And since most of these spireas rebloom well into late summer, there’s a steady supply to keep winged visitors fed. Plant different kinds of spirea and every year they will amaze you with their colorful blossoms. The two-tone effect is charming up close or in cut flower bouquets. Instead, cut out the oldest canes all the way to the crown, leaving the youngest to produce flowers. But one of the best, and most consistent for purple-red autumn color, is ‘Tor’ birchleaf spirea. Wonderful for border accent, specimen or low hedges. Great plant for accent or used in a shrub border. DIY Potting Bench. Fertilize spirea in early spring. 5 Multiseason Shrubs Their size works well in a foundation planting. Moderate grower to 2 to 3 feet high and wide. Spirea will bloom time and time again with the proper maintenance. You Might Also Like: Colorful Fall Island Bed The worst that will happen is that it may not bloom for a year. How to Divide 45+ Perennials And because the woody stems are so sturdy, they can help hold up floppy neighbors. They are beloved by busy gardeners since they do not require careful siting or special care. Spiraea bumalda: Spiraea : Spiraea niponicum: Spiraea x bumalda 'Cultivar' Spiraea near Burning Bush : Spiraea x vanhouttei: Van Houtt's Spiraea : Spirea x vanhouttei 'Pink Ice' Bi-colored Spiraea : Stachys byzantina: Lamb's Ears : Stranvaesia (Photinia) davidiana: Stranvaesia davidiana 'Fructo-lutea' Space the plants at least as far apart as their expected spread, which generally equals the height. Spring-blooming spireas generally have white flowers, while summer-blooming types usually bloom in shades of pink or red. Small deciduous shrub having bright green leaves on slender stems. Or if you want a denser cover, plant them half the recommended distance apart. Up front they may cost more than annuals but in the long run shrubs will save you money and time. Spirea adapts to most soil types. Blooms White in early and midsummer; deep burgundy fall foliage Light Full sun to part shade Size 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, Mellow Yellow® spirea (Spiraea thunbergii), Type Shrub In spring, they burst out in color with their winter buds breaking into vibrant shades of yellow and red, creating pleasing foliage combinations with their abundant clusters of pink or white flowers. Early spirea or Thunberg spirea is one of the first spireas to flower in early spring. Garland spirea is the first to bloom. Pruning Double Play Pink Spirea should be done in late winter or early spring. The leaves may discolor and drop off. In early spring, before the leaf buds start to swell, cut all of the stems down so they’re 4 to 6 in. The dense habit, long bloom time and colorful foliage of ‘Goldflame’ Japanese spirea make it a great companion in a flower bed. They’re a perfect fit in most anyone’s garden. Spirea is one of the most popular and versatile flowering shrubs you can add to your garden. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these shrubs so great! Small varieties, such as the 1.5-foot-tall Spirea japonica, work well as neat, rounded ground covers. Spirea is a lovely foundation plant, providing greenery and flowers. This is an excellent shrub for the front of borders or for mass planting effects in your garden. The early summer white flowers, dark green, birch-like leaves turn a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and purple fall color adding seasonal interest and great for butterfly gardens and the front of the shrub border. They look especially good paired with bigleaf hydrangeas. To grow them as a mass, set individual plants so their tips will touch as they mature. Save Beloved by greenhorn and green thumb gardeners alike, their multi-season beauty, easy care, and fast growth make it one of the most popular of flowering shrubs. Blooms Hot pink clusters spring through fall and bright green foliage Light Full sun to part shade Size 2 to 4 ft. tall and wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, Type Shrub Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. Magic Carpet Spirea. Some other cultivars with notable foliage include: When fall rolls around, most spireas’ foliage changes to yellow, orange or red. Don’t bother feeding spireas. The triumphans are a summer-blooming variety of spirea, blooming between June and August. You have to love a shrub that can take it on the chin and keep coming back. Spirea Pink – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing. Water deeply in spring and summer if you get less than an inch of rainfall in a week. Plant the shrubs in a location with a moist but well-drained soil. You may get a second flush of blooms if you remove spent flower stems from both spring- and summer- blooming spirea as soon as the flowers fade. Cut spring-blooming spirea back to 3 or 4 inches above the ground and then cut out the oldest and largest stems down to the crown. It’s an inexpensive way to expand your garden beds and borders. http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/flowers-plants/plant-guide/your-guide-to-spirea/, check out three easy ways to prune them, as well as the best time of year to do it, here. Low spreading habit is ideal filler or groundcover. Plant it in full sun or part shade on a location that remains moist. How to Clean and Sharpen Old Tools Neat, compact mound produces vibrant, red new leaves that mature to bright gold, contrasting with clusters of small, pink flowers. Slow release fertilizer should be applied in the spring. If you prefer, you can substitute a light application of complete fertilizer. Next, I’ll share some design ideas about where to add low growing spireas to your garden. Its improvement, ‘Neon Flash’, has even more vivid pink and larger flowers. Prune the Double Play Pink Spirea after flowering each year to encourage new growth. Check out the details of the 6 spirea cultivars below, and then find a spot to plant it in your space! Spirea is a reliable blooming shrub that thrives in USDA zones 5-9. Don’t just plant one, plant a group for a big effect. Spirea prefer full sun but also tolerate light shade. Stronger insecticides kill beneficial insects that help keep aphids and spider mites in check, often resulting in a more serious infestation. The solution is simple: trimming spirea plants keeps it looking healthy and attractive year after year. If spireas have always made you yawn, it’s time to give them another chance. The combination demonstrates ideas for incorporating native plants into… Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Spirea that’s not pruned or pruned to the ground each spring has a casual, loose habit. Cut back watering in fall to discourage a late-season growth spurt. But if ‘Neon Flash’ is too bright for your garden, try ‘Shibori’, sometimes sold by the name ‘Shirobana’. The classic bridal wreath spirea is an exception, growing 10 feet tall with a 20-foot spread. But with all of the challenges gardeners encounter, like poor soil and hungry pests, this shrub deserves a spot in every garden because it can handle it all. It’s a standout in a perennial border. Water the soil thoroughly before and after fertilizing to prevent root burn. There are lots of spireas to choose from. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Looking to fill a large area, but don’t want to wait a long time to see results?