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Vanhoutte Spirea Spiraea x vanhouttei

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
spy-REE-ah BY van-HOOT-ee-eye
Description

Spiraea × vanhouttei, called Vanhoutte spiraea or Bridal Wreath, is a an artifical hybrid plant in the Rosaceae (rose) family.  This vase-shaped, deciduous, flowering shrub has cane-like branching that arches gracefully toward the ground. It is a hybrid cross between S. trilobata x S. cantoniensis that is noted for its showy spring blooms and hardy nature. The plant typically reaches a height of 8 feet with a slightly larger spread. The genus name comes from the Greek word speira meaning wreath in reference to the showy flower clusters seen on most shrubs in the genus.

Vanhoutte spiraea is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. It tolerates light shade, but for best blooms, you should site the plant in full sun. It does well in a wide range of soils, including clay, and tolerates some drought. If pruning is desired, prune immediately after flowering.

This particular hybrid is commonly planted for its color; tiny white flowers (each to 1/3 of an inch in diameter) that appear in spring, 1 to 2 weeks after the parent plant (S. cantoniensis), in 2 inch clusters that profusely cover the leafy branching. The foliage consists of small, dark blue-green leaves. Fall color is usually undistinguished, but attractive purplish hues may sometimes develop.

Mass plant in the back of a border, along a walkway, or use as an accent plant in a butterfly garden.  It works well as a hedge or barrier planting to obscure an unattractive view in the landscape.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems, although aphids can be an issue. Susceptible to many of the diseases and insects that attack other rose family members, including leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew, root rot, leaf roller and scale.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hardy#deciduous#drought tolerant#shrub#slopes#accent plant#mass planting#fast growing#flowering shrub#deer resistant#fantz#border back#walkway planting#butterfly friendly#barrier#hedge#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hardy#deciduous#drought tolerant#shrub#slopes#accent plant#mass planting#fast growing#flowering shrub#deer resistant#fantz#border back#walkway planting#butterfly friendly#barrier#hedge#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Spiraea
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer and drought resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 7 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Broad
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Infloresence is in umbellate clusters of 2 inches wide, borne on pins, bloom in April and May. Numerous single white flowers, to 1/3 of an inch diameter form bouquets on pins. Five petals.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Insignificant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Rhomboidal
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves 3/4 to 1 3/4 inches long, acute, and cuneate. Apical half is irregularly toothed or incised at the apex half, and sometimes 3-5 lobed. They are dark blue-green above, glaucous below, glabrous.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are slender, form at the base, and arch gracefully toward the ground.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought