Why Gardeners Love Spirea
A super popular, smaller flowering shrub, in which we have seen an explosion of new selections over the years, because of its versatility. There has been much hybridization and many cultivars released because of the great and varied sizes, colors, and multi-seasonal interest.
Nature Hills sells two different types of Spirea:
- Smaller selections that re-bloom
- Larger growers that bloom early and are done for the year
Spirea are hardy and easy to grow, and some of the older cultivars have been around since the early 1900s and are still being grown today.
Top Spirea Varieties Available at Nature Hills
Bridal Wreath Spirea
Let's start with the larger growing selections that all sport white flowers and a mass of blooms in May or early June, depending upon where they are grown. If you are anywhere in the upper Midwest, you will probably have seen the old-fashioned Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spiraea x Vanhouttei) that typically blooms at the end of May or around Memorial Day. Due to this bloom time, many cemeteries have planted hedges of them that have remained for decades.
- White clusters of flowers are neatly arranged all along the stems from the tips all the way down into the plant.
- The effect makes it look like a wild snowstorm has flocked the plant with fresh, white snow.
- Because they bloom on last year's stems, prune as soon as the bloom is finished.
- They can be cut all the way down to the ground if they get too large, allowing new stems to grow and bloom the following year.
- If you prune them in summer or fall, you will remove all the next season's flowers.
- The Bridal Wreath reaches about 8' tall and 6-8' wide with a fountain-like appearance.
Grefsheim Spirea
Renaissance stays slightly smaller, getting 6-7' tall and 5-6' wide, and is very free-flowering. Those two selections make outstanding hedges left untrimmed, lacy, and natural.
Then there is a finer-textured and smaller growing spring-blooming Spirea called Grefsheim. Although Grefsheim is a different species, it rocks.
- Smaller leaves and very dainty white flowers line the entire stem.
- Grefsheim works beautifully in mass plantings, as a foundation plant, or as an untrimmed hedge maintained at 3-4'.
Last, the Snowmound, blooms all along the entire stem from the tip into the center of the plant again in late May or early June. Prune immediately after flowering for success the following spring. This selection is a bit coarser and makes a rounded 5-foot plant, great for an untrimmed hedge.
Froebelii Spirea 
The other group of Spirea includes several different species and some hybrids but many cultivars. Flowers are borne in mostly flat-topped clusters and are typically 3' or so. The flowers are born on the tips of each stem. The plants are very forgiving and ask very little: sun, a haircut occasionally, and some additional moisture during periods of drought.
- This group stays smaller, ranging from 15" high and wide to 3-4' high and wide.
- Leaf color varies greatly, with foliage emerging in oranges, reds, bright yellow, and greens.
- Flowers range from white to pink to red and everything in between.
- Once the first round of flowers fades, trim the spent blooms and enjoy another round.
- Birds and bees love the flowers, and they make great cut flowers too.
Dakota Goldcharm Spirea
Small and very manageable plants are very colorful from the minute they leaf out. They produce great summer foliage and a myriad of fall colors to finish the show.
- Spirea makes great foundation plants because of their smaller size.
- They work well in mass plantings for open areas or embankment plantings.
- They are great edging plants or front-of-the-border choices.
Why Spirea Deserves a Spot in Your Landscape
Many Shrub Roses and perennials work well with Spirea. Groundcovers and groundcover Junipers also make great pairings. The forms and colors vary greatly, and so does the list of Spirea that we sell.
Spirea earns its popularity with dependable growth, a wide array of sizes and colors, easy care, and multi-season interest. They fit beautifully into modern yards, classic plantings, and everything in between. These shrubs may be simple, but they sure know how to show off.
Happy Planting!