Spiraea (spiraea) — Bushy, Suckering

Overview

Spiraea is a bushy, suckering shrubs in the genus Spiraea, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Spiraea grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include mixed borders, shrub borders, cottage gardens, informal gardens, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds. It is native to Afghanistan, Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Altay, Amur, Arkansas, Assam, Austria, Belarus, British Columbia, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, California, Central European Russia, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, Colorado, Connecticut, Czechia-Slovakia, Delaware, East European Russia, East Himalaya, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Inner Mongolia, Iowa, Iran, Irkutsk, Italy, Japan, Kamchatka, Kansas, Kazakhstan, Kentucky, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krasnoyarsk, Krym, Kuril Is., Louisiana, Magadan, Maine, Manchuria, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Mongolia, Montana, Myanmar, Nepal, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Caucasus, North Dakota, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, NW. Balkan Pen., Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pakistan, Pennsylvania, Poland, Portugal, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Qinghai, Québec, Rhode I., Romania, Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, South European Russia, Spain, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Tennessee, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turkmenistan, Tuva, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vermont, Vietnam, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Siberia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Xinjiang, Yakutiya and Yukon.

About

Spiraea is a deciduous shrub in the Rosaceae that produces dense clusters of flowers in late spring and early summer, flowering from May to July. Many forms spread by suckers and develop a multi-stemmed outline. It tolerates a wide range of soils and light levels, from full sun to partial shade. Plants are rated very hardy (H6) for UK conditions.

About the genus

Spiraea, sometimes spelled spirea in common names, and commonly known as meadowsweets or steeplebushes, is a genus of about 80 to 100 species of shrubs in the family Rosaceae. They are native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with the greatest diversity in eastern Asia.

Wikipedia contributors, "Spiraea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Spiraea

In the garden

Spiraea belongs to the rose family and occurs across a wide area of Europe, Asia and North America. Individual species and garden selections form shrubs with simple leaves and massed inflorescences that appear in the late spring to early summer period (May to July). Several species are adapted to open sites and can colonise by producing basal suckers. Plant Spiraea in a position with full sun or partial shade; it grows on chalk, clay, loam or sand and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline soils so long as they are well drained or at least moist but well drained. It suits south-, west- or east-facing aspects and will tolerate both exposed and sheltered sites. In UK terms the group is very hardy (H6), so specimens established in soil that does not routinely waterlog will survive normal winters. Use Spiraea in mixed and shrub borders, cottage and informal gardens, wildlife areas and flower beds where a mass of seasonal bloom is required. Allow space for suckering forms or manage basal shoots to keep plants within a bed. Because many Spiraea produce spreading stems, they are particularly useful for softening field edges and creating informal screens.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Spiraea

Sunlight: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6

Plant details

Spiraea size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy, Suckering
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: Mixed borders, Shrub borders, Cottage gardens, Informal gardens, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds
Native to: Afghanistan, Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Altay, Amur, Arkansas, Assam, Austria, Belarus, British Columbia, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, California, Central European Russia, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, Colorado, Connecticut, Czechia-Slovakia, Delaware, East European Russia, East Himalaya, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Inner Mongolia, Iowa, Iran, Irkutsk, Italy, Japan, Kamchatka, Kansas, Kazakhstan, Kentucky, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krasnoyarsk, Krym, Kuril Is., Louisiana, Magadan, Maine, Manchuria, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Mongolia, Montana, Myanmar, Nepal, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Caucasus, North Dakota, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, NW. Balkan Pen., Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pakistan, Pennsylvania, Poland, Portugal, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Qinghai, Québec, Rhode I., Romania, Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, South European Russia, Spain, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Tennessee, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turkmenistan, Tuva, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vermont, Vietnam, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Siberia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Xinjiang, Yakutiya, Yukon

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Spiraea

Propagation: Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings, Hardwood cuttings, Seed
Pest resistance: Generally pest-free
Disease resistance: Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Spiraea?

Spiraea prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Spiraea need?

Spiraea is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.

Is Spiraea hardy in the UK?

Spiraea has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.

How do I propagate Spiraea?

Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings, Hardwood cuttings, Seed.

More in the Spiraea genus

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