Spirea Growing Guide

Spiraea species, Spiraea prunifolia, Spiraea japonica and hybrids

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost or other organic matter, with a slightly acidic pH.

Position

Full sun to partial afternoon shade.

Frost tolerant

Spireas are hardy deciduous shrubs, tolerating winter temperatures to -37°C (-35°F).

Feeding

Boosting soil fertility results in bigger, better spirea flower clusters. Topdress the root zone with rotted manure topped by an organic mulch in early spring. Or, apply a balanced organic fertiliser twice yearly, once in spring and again in early summer.

Spacing

Single Plants: 1.50m (4' 11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 1.50m (4' 11") with 1.50m (4' 11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Set out purchased plants from autumn to spring, as long as your soil is not frozen. Container-grown plants can be set out until early summer. Enrich the planting hole with good compost and a balanced organic fertiliser, following label directions on how much to use. Water regularly after planting, and cover the root zone with an organic mulch to keep the soil moist at all times through the first growing season. Spacing varies with the type grown, but spiraeas usually need to be spaced at least 1.5 m (5 feet) apart.. Bridal wreath spirea are often grown as single specimen plants. Check plant tags for a plant’s mature width when planting spireas in combination with other shrubs. Many new dwarf spireas can be grown in 35 cm (14-inch) pots.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Spireas are generally divided into two types: bridal wreath spirea and Japanese spirea. Bridal wreath spirea grows into a symmetrical, fountain-shaped shrub that becomes covered with small white flowers in spring. An instant focal point in the spring landscape, bridal wreath spirea is valued for its flowers and its graceful form. Japanese spirea (S. japonica hybrids) are more compact plants that produce airy clusters of pink to red flowers in early summer, and some cultivars continue blooming through the summer. Leaf colour is also remarkable, ranging from red to chartreuse. Older varieties of Japanese spirea became invasive in some parts of the US and Europe, but the introduction of seed-sterile cultivars such as ‘Neon Flash’ has solved this problem. The need to prune varies with cultivar. Prune bridal wreath spirea in early summer by cutting out old branches close to the base of the plant. Japanese spirea can be pruned in autumn or early spring to remove dead branches and keep the plants neat. Japanese spirea blooms on new wood.

Harvesting

All spireas make good material for cut flower arrangements. The airy flower heads of Japanese spirea can hung in small bunches to dry.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Spirea

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail