About

Rounded, upright, deciduous shrub about 1.5m tall, with bronze-red young leaves, dark green in summer then purple-red in autumn, and clusters of bowl-shaped, bright crimson flowers from mid to late summer.

About the genus

Spiraea are deciduous shrubs, sometimes suckering, with simple leaves and short racemes, panicles or corymbs of small, 5-petalled white or pink flowers in spring or summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Ideal for mixed borders
PruningPruning group 6 for spiraea flowering on current years stems, deadhead after flowering. Keep neat and compact by cutting all stems back to within 30cm of ground level
PropagationPropagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in spring to late summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free but may be susceptible to honey fungus