Spiraea prunifolia

Bridal wreath spirea is an old-fashioned, upright, clumping, flowering, deciduous shrub that grows from 4 to 8 feet tall and equally as wide.  It tends to be twiggy in form, loose and fountain-like. Most of the year this shrub is covered with dark green leaves. For a short period in the spring, this plant is a showstopper with its long cascading flowers. It is a member of the Rosaceae or rose family.

This shrub is native to China and Taiwan and is often found on sunny hillsides or in stony and barren places.

The genus name, Spiraea, is from the Greek word, speira, which means "wreath" and is about the shrub's showy flowers. The epithet prunifolia references the leaves that are like the genus Prunus.

The plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, in well-drained soils, and does its best flowering when planted in full sun. It will tolerate light shade and a wide range of soils including clay. It is deer and somewhat drought tolerant. 

Because it is an upright, arching shrub that can become leggy, you may want to prune it as needed immediately after flowering. On the other hand, if left alone Bridal Wreath Spirea grows into what some consider a graceful, open, arching shrub with branches drooping to the ground. Whether it is leggy or elegant, seems to be a matter of taste.

The bridal wreath is noted for its early spring bloom of double white flowers that appear in profusion along the bare branches. The pure white flowers are borne in long sprays that can be fashioned into wreaths and worn on the head for a special occasion, hence the name. The foliage appears after the blooms as small, shiny dark green, elliptic to ovate leaves. Foliage often develops an attractive red-orange-yellow fall color.

S. prunifolia ‘Plena’ is the long-favored bridal wreath usually found in retail. Species plants as well as the single-flowered plant (Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora) are generally not available. Note that the double-flowered plant was botanically described before the single-flowered plant, hence the double flower became the species, and the single flower became a variety or form of the species. 

Consider the Bridal wreath spiraea as a foundation planting, border, specimen, accent, and woodland area. It is particularly trouble-free even though it is a member of the Rosaceae family and works well in tough conditions. The brief profuse blooming of double white flowers in the early spring will be welcoming and add interest to the home landscape.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring                 Foliage:  Summer and Fall

Quick ID Hints:  

• upright, clumping, deciduous shrub with arching branches
• the bark is shiny, smooth, and brown
• small, elliptical to ovate, shiny, dark green leaves with fine-toothed margins
• double white flowers measuring 1/3 inch in diameter and appear in early spring
• fruits are dry, brown follicles that remain on the shrub throughout the winter

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This is an extremely durable shrub with no known serious insect or disease problems. However, it is susceptible to many of the diseases and insects that attack other rose family members, including leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew, root rot, aphids, leaf roller, and scale.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.