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Sem Ash Leaf Spirea

Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem'

Regular price $8023
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Delivery and Shipping

Delivery and Shipping

Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Fast-growing, Fall Color/Interest, Deer-resistant, Hedge/Screen, Drought resistant, and Heat Tolerant

Specifications

  • Botanical Name
    Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem'
  • Height
    3-4 ft
  • Width
    3-4 ft
  • Growing Zones
    3-7
  • Sunlight
    • Full sun
  • Growth Rate
    Moderate
  • Flower Color
    • White
  • Leaf Color
    • Green
    • Yellow
    • Red
  • Fall Color
    Orange
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pollinator Required
    No
  • Bloom Period
    Early Summer
  • Fragrant
    Yes
  • Does Not Ship To
    AK, HI, ID, MT, OR

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: For the most vibrant pink and orange spring foliage, plant in full sun with at least six hours of direct light. While it tolerates partial shade, the leaf colors will appear more lime green and less intense without adequate sun.
  • Soil: This shrub thrives in moist, well-drained soil but is famously adaptable to tough conditions. If you have heavy clay, mix in organic compost at planting time to improve drainage and prevent the roots from sitting in stagnant water.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply twice a week to help the root system expand into the surrounding soil. Once established, this spirea is remarkably drought tolerant, though it prefers consistent moisture to maintain its lush appearance. If the soil stays too dry for long periods, you might notice the leaf edges turning brown or the plant losing its signature vigor.

Pruning Tips

This plant blooms on new wood, meaning flowers develop on the growth that happens during the current season. The best time to prune is in late winter or very early spring before new leaves appear. Think of it like a rejuvenating haircut: you can cut the entire plant back to a few inches above the ground every couple of years to keep the habit compact and encourage a fresh explosion of colorful new growth.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as you see new buds beginning to swell. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this encourages soft, tender growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This ensures the plant stays hardy and prepared for the winter months.

Easy to Grow, Compact Sem Ash Leaf Spirea

  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Dramatic Fall Color
  • Easy to Grow
  • Creamy White Summer Blooms

Sem Ash Leaf Spirea, Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem' (16,336), has pinkish-red, fern-like spring foliage that unfurls along deep pink stems. Its foliage really shows off in the fall!

In July and August the neat, round shrub covers itself with creamy white blossoms. This dwarf variety makes a wonderful low hedge, or a great accent.

Sem is an improvement from older Sorbaria varieties. It is compact, better-branched, and denser than others; it creates a tight, bushy little mound in the garden, making a fine low hedge or accent planting as well as a shrub border.

Sem is elegant, space-saving, and beautiful! Sem forms a neat, tidy shrub in the partly shaded garden, which adds a nice texture. This shrub is easy to grow and quite adaptable, thriving in any well-drained soil.

It is especially valuable for northern climates because of its hardiness!

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