About

Strong, deciduous shrub about 1.2-1.5m tall, with a dense bushy habit, arching stems and small rounded dark green leaves, purple-tinted in spring. Spectacular in flower when dense clusters of 5-petalled white flowers crowd the stems in early 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 shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrows well in most moist soils, tolerant of all but the most extreme conditions, in full sun or light shade. Especially suitable for large borders and woodland planting
PruningPruning group 6 for spiraea flowering on current years stems
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