Spirea bushes are one of the most popular garden bush .
Its colorful blossoms , dark light-green leaf , and hardiness to weather make it an first-class industrial plant for null fill , hedging , or butt against .
Spirea spp.is extremely easy to grow . It makes a fantastic addition to your garden if you desire to instantly total some color without doing tons of additional workplace .
It ’s various , well-heeled to care for , springy , perfect for beginners , and pretty- of course !
permit ’s plunge in and see how to grow and worry for Spirea bushes !
Guide Contents
Quick care guide: Spirea
What’s Spirea?
Spirea spp.is a woody , coloured shrub that fits perfectly into garden landscapes .
The flowers are bright pink with changing colors for the season . The foliage is dark greenish , which compliments the bright blossom all season .
This shrub is soft to care for with quick growth which makes it hone for founder or experts .
Spirea is well planted in any landscape for hedging , flower beds , or folio covert .
What does it look like?
These shrubs are deciduous , hardy , and desirable for zones 4 - 10 . They have lancelike leaves with jagged edges that tooth along the radical .
The plants can flower in summer or saltation , so they can be planted in a change of zone throughout the time of year .
Spring fuckup bring about white blossom while summertime shrubs flower in late June with pink or white flush .
The flowers are enceinte and perched on hard , erect stems . The flowers are cascading and will produce in a variety of conditions .
Spirea also has nice greenish foliage throughout the fall so you have something to grow even off - time of year .
Spirea means“twisting”in Greek . So now you know precisely where the name comes from . But they do n’t really worm per se . The shrub does n’t get all tangled- they ’re only hollo misrepresented because the fruits twist .
There are dozens of Spirea , add up up to 80 summation . Everything from shaggy-coated , improbable , or summary . They go well with peony , forsythia , lavender , or even desert agave . Larkspur is also a good companion for Spirea motorbus .
Type of Spirea bushes
There are several eccentric of Spirea cultivar mixture on the market you could choose from .
This list is not broad but will get you start on your own enquiry .
Here are some of the most pop character of Spirea shrubs in the community .
These are part of the rose kinsperson and cause them one of the most popular garden plants .
Busy people like them because they ’re extremely well-heeled to turn . They do n’t need particular care or TLC . With the right combo , you may get colors all time of year .
Is Spirea easy to grow?
Spirea shrubs are fearless and immune to cervid .
They ’re also sound for a wide diverseness of temperature as they ’re tolerant of cold and hotness .
They grow quickly without much fear . Even if you ’re new to bush , Spirea requires no experience to grow well .
It develop easily if you provide just the basic TLC it needs . This is why it ’s so popular with gardeners .
Propagating Spirea bushes
There are two independent method acting of propagation that gardeners use- using cutting or layer .
Both methods will necessitate that you have existing Spirea Dubya . If not , you could expect a neighbor or protagonist for some fresh cuttings .
If you do n’t have either , then grease one’s palms a pre - big one from the glasshouse to get it started .
Once you do , you wo n’t have to grease one’s palms another one later on . you’re able to spread endlessly for a garden full of Spirea bushes !
Let ’s go over each method in detail .
From cuttings
When propagating Spirea from slip , you have two selection .
deal or hardwood . It really calculate on the time of the season it currently is . select accordingly .
Softwood
Softwood cutting can be taken in later summertime . This is the idealistic metre to ensure successful rooting .
utilise a stylized pair of pruning hook ( employ scratch alcoholic beverage ) . Find a large stem that ’s whippy , but not too small . Cut it so it ’s 10 inch in length .
Locate the top 5 inches from the stem tip . Cut off leaf on the bottom of it .
Get a high - timber rooting gel or pulverisation . Dip the cut end into the pulverisation .
Get your planter . It should be at least 8 inches wide with a moist , well - drain potting mixing . blend with 20 % pumice or perlite to help drainage .
Place the stalk in the center of the pot . It should be upright . Use soil to help keep it up .
you could engraft multiple stems in one pot if you want . array them around the edges .
Cover with a great bag to help keep moisture levels up . Place the mess somewhere with filtrate light .
Mist it regularly to keep humidity high . Check regularly for pests or fungus . If you do , re-start .
When the leaves sprout , it ’s successfully rooted . Replant each stem into its own pot for the winter .
When the cold season has happen , it ’s meter to move them into your garden !
Hardwood
If you ’re not blend in softwood , then you ’re going hardwood .
The correct metre to propagate Spirea using hardwood cuttings is shortly after softwood . Take hardwood cuttings in the fall .
So even if you miss propagating it in the summertime , you still have a full fortune to grow it .
take note that hardwood slip can be trickier because of the cold . If the temperatures dim too far , it can be too much for your cut to take stem .
Regardless , make several cutting to maximise your luck of successful multiplication .
Find established fore that are at least 12 inches in duration . Use sterilized pruners to dilute several shank . They should be free of pestis or other visible pathogens .
Locate the foliage nodes on the side . These look like small , pop out spots where young foliage originate out of .
trim back the stem right above one of these nodes to cut it off . prune at 45 degrees .
Do another trimming on the bottom of the stalk , right below another thickening .
Find somewhere in your garden that has fond sunlight with passel of space . The dirt should be moist .
To lay aside yourself time , select the permanent fix you wish well to plant your Spirea . If not , you ’ll need to move them again later . It ’s up to you .
jab one hole per cutting . Space each 12 inch apart , 5 in deep .
Put the stems into the holes . It should be unwaveringly held in shoes with soil . Pack lightly .
urine it deeply and thoroughly .
Regularly urine it when it goes well-nigh teetotal . Check for pests or fungus .
New leaf should follow out in the spring . Move them to the location of your choice .
Layering
Layering is the easiest way to circularise Spirea in my opinion .
It require a bit of work , but it ’s very effective for successfully propagating Spirea . If you ’ve try extension using cuttings but are n’t get results , seek layering .
In this proficiency , the fore remain attached to the host plant while the young root emerge .
You do n’t need to find out accurate staunch to cut . It ’s fairly much like growing a new plant while never completely skip it off .
If you want to propagate by layering , do it in the spring . It work most effectively when Spirea is in peak growth .
Do n’t do it when it enters quiescency in the winter because it ’ll in all likelihood fail .
Here ’s how to do it .
place an offset on the emcee plant . These depend like small , new greens come off the original industrial plant . The shoot should be conciliatory , but wo n’t snap if you bow its shape .
Sterilize a pair of pruners . burn off the foliage on the portion of it that ’ll be buried . You May require to scuffle with it if it ’s covered with barque because it call for to be cut . You only require about 3 inches of branch for it to work .
utilise a shovel to create a small trench properly under the offset . It should be about 1 - 2 inches cryptic . The length should be just as long as the shoot .
snaffle the shoot , then deflect it into the trench . Place it into the oceanic abyss . Adjust the size if ask . But it does n’t need to be perfect .
apply twist ties , tent peg , or wraps to guarantee it into the trench you dig out . The side that you genuflect off the barque necessitate to be queer to the territory . Be heedful not to snap it .
Give it some H2O and secure the grease is moist at all sentence .
The base will root over time . Watch for new leafage come in out of the stem . Be patient- it can take up to 8 weeks .
When it ’s root , cut back the branch from the original stalk and then plant it in your desire emplacement . Use sterilise trimmer once again to reduce the risk of exposure of infection .
Multiplying Spirea is well-to-do once you get the methods down . This hardy works can propagate with minimal care . Just be sure you ’re maintain the grunge wet and monitor for pests .
How to grow Spirea bushes
Once your plants take root , it ’s light to take fear of your shrub with basic TLC .
This section covers ecumenical care guidelines you may find helpful .
Note that YMMV : unlike cultivars will necessitate different needs .
Hardiness zone
Spirea shrubs raise in lots of unlike environments , but ideally should be grow in zone 4 - 10 .
While hardy to temperature dips or high hotness , it will fly high when planted in temperate heat with bright , sunny weather .
If you ’re outside of the suggested zona , you may have to accommodate it .
For example , if it ’s too cold , consider using mulch or row covers to insular the roots . If it ’s too hot , utilize contrived shade to block out sun .
You involve to change it up depending on the local climate in your area . Then your plant will appreciate it and reinforce you with those gorgeous pink blooms .
Soil
Use mellow - quality , well - draining garden soil . The soil should be amended with sand to help ameliorate drain .
If it clumps or poorly drain , it can pool water buildup which can lead to rot or fungus . Use dirt that ’s made for shrub if possible . Amend it to help get the pH to an acidulent point . ivory repast will be excellent for new plant .
pH level
Spirea grows well inslightly acidic ( pH 5 - 6 ) environs . If the filth is too basic ( alkaline ) , the works can lose from it ( chlorosis ) .
Thus , insure the pH is acidulous to advance total blooms and heavy foliage . you’re able to adjust the pH using soil amendment such as limestone .
Depth
If you ’re starting with cuttings , the correct deepness of planting will vary . If you ’re planting into the garden , the cuttings will need to be hard cover with grease on the root remainder .
Spacing
blank space adequately to check that they get the blank space indigence to grow . They grow wide antecedent that will space out .
Place each plant at least 12 feet apart , but this will vary depending on the cultivar .
If you have other shrubs or plant nearby , they may compete for resources .
Plant food
Spirea will benefit if eat with eminent - quality industrial plant food . Use a half dot of a balanced , reputable oecumenical - purpose plant food . Look for 10 - 10 - 10 NPK .
utilise it as directed , but half the initial dose to see how your plant reacts to it . If it ’s OK , then put the full dose .
Use a time - put out liquid fertilizer in the springtime during the summit growing season .
This agency , your Spirea will have enough nutrition to grow those prime during blooming clip . Do n’t overfeed your shrub . No need to get fancy fertilizer . Basic ones work well .
Temperature
Spirea can be tolerant to cold down to 5F and heat upwardly of 80F. It really depends on the cultivar you ’re growing .
Be sure to check the item-by-item works profile to see what kind of temperatures it tolerate . If you ’re in zones 4 - 10 , you should be able to uprise it in your local weather .
Watering
This bush is drouth tolerant , so it ’s perfect for warmer neighborhood that do n’t get much rainwater or urine .
piddle deep and thoroughly when the soil is near ironical . Regular watering academic session will help the plant get strong until it grow firm tooth root system .
They require more water during their growing season , but less when they get older .
Humidity
Spirea has no real preference for humidness . Moderate humidity levels of 50 % are sufficient to keep it from move dry .
High humidity levels may induce fungus , which should be extinguish by pruning the folio . Successful pruning take away foliage which can facilitate alleviate pooling .
Sunlight
Spirea shrub require full sun for ideal ontogeny .
If you want those gorgeous pink or white flowers during the spring or summertime give it the sun it wants to grow them !
Partial shade is OK , but you could expect smaller peak . springtime flowering shrubs should be plant in partial nicety . summertime flowering shrubs can be planted in full sunlight .
Spring specimens tend to prefer cooler temperature with partial shade . On the other manus , summertime I like red-hot temperatures with full sunlight .
It wo n’t make or break your blossom , but it can benefit them when prefer where to establish . Full sun bring forth more flowers with brighter colors throughout the fall .
Pruning
Spirea needs little care other than basic pruning . Deadhead spent flowers after they flower to help keep them fresh .
Pruning John Brown , yellow , or dried leaves is helpful too . Deadheading flowers help encourage 2nd blooms . It also serve keep bugs off your shrubs . Spirea benefits from annual upkeep .
The soil spirit level should be checked with a monitor to see if nutrient are lacking .
remediate it if so .
Regular pruning is respectable because it helps encourage more growing of the stems . If you prune on a schedule , you may maximize blossoming .
Spring flowering Spirea should be pruned mightily after they blossom . The canes can be cut back to keep the shrub compact .
Summer shrubs should be pruned in the winter after they get spent . prune wood often to keep your plant in shape . Summertime bungle will easily outgrow their size , so they should be pruned regularly .
you could switch off back to ⅓ of the original shrub size for the wintertime when it run low into quiescency .
Shearing after inflorescence will avail encourage more blooms and leaf emergence .
Overwintering
Wintertime is nothing to concern about for Spirea . If grown in the right-hand zone , you do n’t ask to do anything particular for winterise it .
But younger plants will need mulch or quarrel top . Mulch will help insulate the roots from the cold . 2 - 3 inch will do .
For uttermost dip in temperature , habituate row cover or industrial plant wraps .
Companion plants
This bush can be fussy with its neighbors .
It employ a lot of nutrient from the soil which will quickly outcompete other plants . Spirea also can get up to 8 feet wide , which intend that you should n’t be planting it near other works in the first place .
However , plants that need very petty nutrients to thrive such as junipers , weigela , or viburnum are first-class companions .
Ornamental grasses , aster , or Heuchera are also honorable . cosmetic Mary Jane are gross . These will grow well with Spirea plants .
Don’t plant with
You should head off planting these shrubs with neighboring plants that compete for nutrient .
Ideally , they should be found 10 feet apart so they have heap of room to produce .
Other plants may just get in the way of life or they can both tolerate from a lack of nutrients . Give them plenteous space from other plants , no matter the type .
If you have poor soil , then it ’s even more imperative you give them the space they need .
Pests
Spirea is pest fearless ( as well as brute hardy ) so they do n’t buckle under to gadfly that easily .
But since they flower with those gorgeous roses , they can bring in spider jot or aphid .
Both of these can be control with a right horticultural oil or insecticidal soap . Neem oil or even just pruning them should be OK .
It really depends on how many of them you have . You may even see the dreaded Spirea aphids , which look like delicate - embodied pear - shaped flora lice .
Diseases
Spirea is a resilient little shrub and will resist the majority of industrial plant diseases . But they are vulnerable to papaya mosaic virus , ringspot virus , fervor blight , powdery mildew , seaman spots , leaf spot , or other fungal issues .
Use a fungicide to remove these problems paired with regular pruning of infected foliage . assure that you do n’t overwater .
Prune dense foliage for right evaporation .
When you overwater , it pools water which can chair to fungus . You may need to use a professional antimycotic to serve get rid of spores or tar spots on the leaf .
Growing indoors
This shrub is way too big to be grown indoors . While naturalise smaller spireas is possible , it ’s not feasible .
You need to move it alfresco when it gets too self-aggrandising .
The roots will eventually outgrow whatever container you ’re putting them in and will need to be transplanted into your garden .
It ’s also more body of work , so why not start alfresco in the first place ?
Unless your zone is insensate , there ’s no indigence to make it difficult for yourself .
Growing in containers
Spirea shrubs can be container grown , but you need to ensure that the pot you use is extensive enough for the roots to offer .
Use a basic planter that ’s at least 8 inch wide of the mark than the width of the root ball . Mix with moist , well - drained soil blend with 20 % pumice to help drainage .
Put some pebble at the base of the planter to help forestall clumping of the pot .
To assist forestall temperature swings , use ceramic , terra cotta , Harlan F. Stone , or other porous textile other than plastic .
Sure , charge plate is crummy , but it also causes wide temperature fluctuation for your plant roots .
Temperature changes like that can be harmful to Spirea .
Usage scenarios
Spirea can be used for many unlike thing . It ’s a various woody bush that ’s common in the garden as a hedge .
It can be used for edging , pathing , or even just null filling when you want to cover up your garden . It make a beneficial industrial plant cover with those dense unripe foliage .
Whatever the need in your garden , Spirea is up to the task !
That ’s why it ’s popular- because it ’s so gentle to care for and it can do so many things .
The more you know , right-hand ?
Commonly asked questions about Spirea plants
Here are some common questions reader often require aboutSpirea spp .
You may find your question here if not answered prior .
Do I need to renew Spirea plants?
You may have read that you involve to renew Spirea , which essentially have in mind contract down 3 of the largest canes each year . This is said to boost the oldest cane to regrow . It also helps keep your bush tidy .
Note that if you do a Spirea renewal , you should bear that it ’ll produce fewer blooms . Do it in the early spring . See video above .
Can I grow Spirea in container?
Spirea bushes can be grown in a container , but it needs to be enceinte enough to accommodate the stem ball .
It should be at least 3 meter the width and 2 times the depth of the ball size . You demand to upgrade the container when it outgrow it .
If the stem are coming out of the drainage holes or touching the container , then it ’s time to get a bigger pot .
mark that container - acquire plants will need more lacrimation , fertilizer , and unspoiled filth that needs to be replaced . Potted Spirea incline to get few bloom with less vibrant people of colour , but that ’s obvious .
How often do you water Spirea?
Water your Spirea bush doubly a week with about 1 gallon of weewee . Pour directly at the base of the plant .
Spirea can bear go dry . Use your finger to quiz the top 2 inches of stain . If it ’s ironic , that ’s okay . Just do n’t let it get dry for too long . Younger plants will ask to be water more compared to older one .
Use a moisture metre to try for water system levels for larger industrial plant . Do n’t water the leaves . weewee deeply and exhaustively . Overwatering is bad .
It can lead to ascendent rot , which can obliterate your bush . This is why well - run out soil is imperative . have the soil go completely teetotal between lachrymation session . water supply more when it ’s dry . Less when it ’s wet .
Does Spirea grow in shade?
Spirea bushes can tolerate partial shade but will acquire the most flower when grown in full sun .
you may often get more colors and undimmed fall leafage when give plenteous sunlight .
How far down can you trim a Spirea bush?
Trim down the stems until they ’re 5 inches marvellous .
For the wintertime , this will be sufficient as the plant go dormant and does n’t call for those magniloquent unornamented stem .
you may utilise pruning shears to cut the stems one by one or hedge clippers . Prune at least twice a year , rather once after it flowers then again in the wintertime .
When should Spirea be planted?
If you bought Spirea from the garden centre , plant it in the fountain or descend for ideal growth .
The bushes should be planted somewhere with stack of space to accommodate the growth . cut into a hole that ’s at least twice the breadth of the source ballock with the same deepness . body of water deeply the first sentence .
Do bees like Spirea?
bee , birds , and other natural pollinators will come to your garden if you have Spirea bush . The undimmed vibrant flower petal fetch in these good pollinator , which can facilitate you fertilize your harvest or other plants .
How do you fertilize Spirea?
expend generic high - quality plant food . Use half dose at first then full dosage per instructions . It should be balanced with a 10 - 10 - 10 NPK military rank .
Is Spirea toxic to dogs?
Spirea is not known to be poisonous or toxic to dogs . It ’s not list by theASPCAor other reputable groups online .
The plant itself is actually resistant to detent weewee , so firedog may be good to Spirea . Weigela , genus Viburnum , and Karl Foerster grass Spirea are all able-bodied to handle detent water .
So if you have dogs peeing in the garden , your Spirea should be okay .
Further reading/references
Enjoy those pink blossoms in your garden!
You ’re not warmed with everything you call for to know to grow and handle for Spirea Dubya !
As you could see , this stout bush produces gorgeous flowers . It does n’t ask for much on your end .
So plant it !
It works toppingly as a hedging , null fill , within assorted flower bed , inch plant life , rockery , or just to add some nice color to your chiliad .
I ’ve always been interested in horticulture , but I never took it seriously until I was forcefully gifted an orchidaceous plant . This was what get me into the rocking horse and I ’ve never front back . I delight write about it , but not nearly as much as getting into the grunge and sculpt the perfect decorative ornamental to enjoy for the time .
