Spirea Spiraea
Other Common Name(s):
- Description
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Spirea is a genus of over 80 herbaceous shrubs in the rose family (Rosaceae) that is native to the Northern hemisphere of North America and Asia. 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.
Spireas can grow from 2 to 10 feet tall, depending on the species. They generally do best receiving 6 hours or more of sun and tend to prefer well-drained amended soils. Those that bloom on old wood should be pruned after flowering, and those that bloom on new wood can be pruned in the fall or at any time. Some species spread by suckers.
Many have showy clusters of spring flowers in white, pink or red and some have yellow fall color giving them three seasons of interest.
Use the more ornamental of the spireas in a foundation planting, in a native of pollinator garden, as a hedge or in Asian or cottage gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally problems free but watch for aphids, spider mites, and scale, and diseases such as powdery mildew, fire blight, and leaf spot
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- S. alba, S. cantoniensis, S. fritschiana, S. japonica, S. prunifolia, S. salicifolia, S. thunbergii, S. tomentosa, S. trilobata
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- S. alba, S. cantoniensis, S. fritschiana, S. japonica, S. prunifolia, S. salicifolia, S. thunbergii, S. tomentosa, S. trilobata
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Spiraea
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Many are host plants to several moths. The flowers attract pollinators.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Aggregate
- Follicle
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is an aggregate of follicles that appear as small, dry, brown pods in clusters.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are usually in clusters of corymbs or panicles, with individual flowers having five sepals and five petals that are usually longer than the sepals and many stamens. Colors are white, pink, or reddish and they bloom in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Many have fairly small leaves that are opposite on the stem and spiral up the stems. Margins vary and can be toothed or lobed. They can be 1 to 4 inches long and usually lanceolate.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Bark Description:
- The bark is often brown and smooth.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are slender, zig-zag, brown, and glabrous.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
