Thunberg's Meadowsweet Spiraea thunbergii

Spiraea thunbergii, or Breath of Spring Spiraea, is a drought-tolerant, upright, deciduous, flowering shrub that can reach a height of 5 feet and an equal width. The plant grows easily in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun, although it does tolerate light shade, a wide range of soils including clay, and some drought. In its native Asia, it is often found on rocky hillsides. However, it does not tolerate wet soil. To maximize blooming, you should site the plant in a warm, sheltered place where it will obtain full sun. The plant form is loose and fountain-like with wiry, outward-arching branches and tends to be twiggy, so you should prune as needed immediately after flowering to maintain a desired shape. The plant flowers on the previous summer's growth and should be pruned immediately after flowering in order to promote new growth.

Breath of Spring Spiraea is noted for its early spring bloom (April, usually the first spiraea to bloom) of tiny white flowers (each to 1/3” diameter) in 3- to 5-flowered clusters. The narrow, pale green leaves that emerge after the blooms have a willow-like appearance. Foliage turns yellow in fall, with orange and bronze hues.

This is one of several plants whose Latin species thunbergii honors the Swedish botanist and plant collector Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1828).

Insects, Diseases, and other Plant Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. 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. There is conflicting data on the level of tolerance the plant has for deer.