Sporting a combination of showy flowers and colorful foliage, these spireas make the A-list for their ability to brighten up the garden from spring well into fall.
Sporting a combination of showy flowers and colorful foliage, these spireas make the A-list for their ability to brighten up the garden from spring well into fall.
Like hydrangea, rhododendron, and lilac, spirea (or spiraea) has joined the ranks as one of the most popular flowering shrubs for the home garden.
Like hydrangea, rhododendron, and lilac, spirea (or spiraea) has joined the ranks as one of the most popular flowering shrubs for the home garden.
Their long-lasting blooms and ability to serve a variety of landscape functions — from mass plantings and perennial borders to groundcovers and informal hedges — have made them a staple in gardens of all sizes.
Their long-lasting blooms and ability to serve a variety of landscape functions — from mass plantings and perennial borders to groundcovers and informal hedges — have made them a staple in gardens of all sizes.
If you’re only familiar with the traditional bridal wreath spirea, a large shrub that can become ungainly if not pruned, you’ll love the versatility and carefree nature of the newer spirea cultivars showcased here. They not only have tidier growth habits but also more vibrant foliage, so they provide seasonal interest even when not in bloom.
If you’re only familiar with the traditional bridal wreath spirea, a large shrub that can become ungainly if not pruned, you’ll love the versatility and carefree nature of the newer spirea cultivars showcased here. They not only have tidier growth habits but also more vibrant foliage, so they provide seasonal interest even when not in bloom.
HOW TO PLANT SPIREA
When to plant:
Spring or fall
Where to plant:
Make sure you have chosen a site that drains well and receives at least 6 hours of sun each day.
HOW TO PLANT SPIREAWhen to plant:Spring or fallWhere to plant:Make sure you have chosen a site that drains well and receives at least 6 hours of sun each day.
Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the container and just as deep. Remove the plant from its container and gently loosen any tightly wound roots. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with the excavated soil. Water thoroughly to settle the soil. Cover with a 2-3” layer of mulch, keeping it away from the stems.
Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the container and just as deep. Remove the plant from its container and gently loosen any tightly wound roots. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with the excavated soil. Water thoroughly to settle the soil. Cover with a 2-3” layer of mulch, keeping it away from the stems.
Spacing:
Space spirea plants 2 to 15 feet apart, depending on the expected mature width of the plant and the application. To create dense, full spirea hedges, you can space your plants more closely together as long as you give them some elbow room.
Spacing:Space spirea plants 2 to 15 feet apart, depending on the expected mature width of the plant and the application. To create dense, full spirea hedges, you can space your plants more closely together as long as you give them some elbow room.