Spirea Bush

Varieties of Spirea For Every Garden

Long arching branches filled with small flower clusters on this huge Bridal Wreath Spirea.

A Spirea bush is low maintenance, fast growing, compact and an real eye catcher. Add one to your garden, as a container plant on your deck, or along your walkway.

I love the look of a Spirea. They are brightly coloured, very tightly compact and look great in any landscape.

They love full sun but will grow in part sun also. Once established they are drought tolerant and deer resistant. They are also great for attracting pollinators to your garden.


Pruning Spirea

They are also one of the easiest flowering shrubs to grow as pruning them really isn’t necessary unless you want to cut out dead wood or remove spent flowers to make your Spirea bush more attractive.

If you start to notice that it's not as nice looking as when you first planted it, you can cut it back to about 1 foot from the ground in late winter when it is still dormant. This will rejuvenate it making it look fresh and new again.


Varieties of Spirea Bushes

There are 2 different types of Spireas, Bridal Wreath variety and shrubby bloomers.

Bridal Wreath varieties bloom in mid-spring to early summer and have a cascading look to them with white clustered flowers along the stem.

Shrubby bloomers have a more upright look with different coloured flowers ranging from pink to red to white and bloom from summer until fall.

I have several different varieties that I grow and hope to get more soon.


Uses in the Landscape

There are many ways to use the Spirea in your landscape

  • a hedge along a fence or deck
  • as a focal point in the middle of your yard
  • lining a walkway or driveway
  • use it as an accent plant in a mixed garden
  • foundation plants

Spirea Bush Varieties

Goldmound (Spiraea japonica 'Goldmound') 

Small pink flower clusters on the tips of the green leaved branches.

This small shrub will grow about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide making it on the smaller side of spireas and can be grown as a container plant on your patio or in the garden. It has golden coloured leaves and small clusters of pink flowers in late spring to early summer.


Goldflame (Spiraea x bumalda 'Goldflame')

Spirea shrub showing it's new leaf colour of a brilliant red that fades to a mature yellowish colour.

This showy shrub is perfect to have in your landscape. Bright yellowish green leaves turn a coppery colour in the fall and clusters of red flowers will really stand out in your garden.

It grows to about 4' tall and a little wider which will look great in the front corner of your garden.


Snowmound (Spiraea nipponica 'Snowmound')

Long arching stems covered in small clusters of white flowers

This gorgeous shrub will get larger than most other varieties growing to about 5' tall and wide. It has dark green leaves and showy white flowers in spring that grow along the stem of the plant.


Crisp Leaf (Spiraea x bumalda 'Crispa')

Large cluster of small bright pink flowers

For something a little different it's very unique with jagged dark green leaves and bright pink clustered flowers in early summer.

It only gets about 2-3' tall and 3-4' wide at maturity. If you are looking for something a little different, then this one is a must have.


Blue Mist (Caryopteris x clandonensis “Blue Mist”)

Blue flowers on arching branches and light green leaves on this Blue Mist Spirea

The little purplish-blue flowers are a bee magnet so if you are looking to attract pollinators this spirea bush is a must-have.

It's a smaller shrub only getting to about 2-3' tall and wide, perfect for a small garden.


Little Princess (Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess')

Small clusters of light pink flowers cover the dark green leaves

With light pink coloured flower clusters and dark green leaves, this shrub will get to about 3' tall and 6' wide, perfect for any where you want to put it.


Bridal Wreath (Spiraea x vanhouttei)

Bridal Wreath Spirea with long arching stems of white flower clusters

One of the bigger varieties available, it can grow as big as 8' tall and 10' wide. It has arching branches that are covered with white flowers in spring. 


Astilbe Plant (Astilbe × arendsii )

Tall spikes of pink flowers standing above the shrub.

Sometimes known as False Spirea or False Goat's Beard, it's a great flowering shrubs for shade. The dark green leaves are jagged to add a little texture. Tall spikes of flowers stand above the shrub in late spring.

This plant will die back in the winter unlike other spirea bushes.


If you are looking for something that will stand out in your garden then consider a Spirea Bush for an accent piece, shrub border, or in a container on your deck or patio.

 

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