Overview

Spiraea japonica Little Flame ('Minspil04'PBR) is a bushy, suckering shrubs in the genus Spiraea, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Spiraea japonica Little Flame ('Minspil04'PBR) 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.

About

Spiraea japonica Little Flame ('Minspil04'PBR) is a multi-stemmed, suckering deciduous shrub in the rose family that bears clusters of rosy-pink flowers from May to July. It tolerates a wide range of soils and positions, suiting both exposed and sheltered sites. Plant where its spreading habit can be accommodated, such as the front of a mixed border or in a cottage-garden grouping. The foliage is seasonal and gives structure outside the flowering months.

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 japonica Little Flame ('Minspil04'PBR) is a cultivar of Japanese spiraea originating from East Asia and placed in the Rosaceae family. It produces clusters of rosy-pink flowers over an extended run from May to July, making it a useful mid-season contributor to nectar and blossom cover. The shrub is multi-stemmed and suckering, forming rounded clumps that can spread slowly at the base. Site selection is straightforward: position it in full sun or partial shade on soils that are moist but well drained or simply well drained. It performs across chalk, clay, loam and sand and tolerates acid to alkaline pH, so it adapts to many typical UK soils. The plant suits south-, west- or east-facing aspects and will take both exposed and sheltered locations. H6 hardiness indicates it is very hardy in Britain, surviving normal winter conditions without special protection. Use Spiraea japonica Little Flame ('Minspil04'PBR) at the front of shrub borders, in mixed and cottage borders, informal gardens and wildlife-friendly beds where its flowering season and suckering habit can be accommodated. Its compact flowering display from May to July fills the mid-season gap between early spring bulbs and high summer perennials.

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 japonica Little Flame ('Minspil04'PBR) 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

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Spiraea japonica Little Flame ('Minspil04'PBR)

Propagation

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

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions

More in the Spiraea genus

• 
  Spiraeaspiraea
• 
  Spiraea japonica 'Dark Magic'Japanese Meadowsweet
• 
  Spiraea japonica 'Odessa'PBRJapanese Spiraea
• 
  Spiraea japonica Zen'Spirit Gold ('Minspiz07')Japanese Meadowsweet
• 
  Spiraea prunifolia f. simplicifloraBridalwreath Spirea
• Spiraea densiflora var. splendensDense-flowered Spiraea