About

A dense, compact, bushy, deciduous shrub about 60cm tall, with coarsely toothed leaves opening dark plum-red, becoming dark green in summer, then reddish-purple in autumn. Produces magenta-pink flowers in flattened heads during 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
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 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. Especially suitable for mixed borders and suited to container cultivation
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