About 80 species make up this genus of deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs. They are grown primarily for their small but profuse white, yellow, pink, or purple flowers in spring or summer. Use spirea in a mixed or shrub border, as a ground cover, in a rock garden, or as hedging, depending on growth habit.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsFlowers profusely
CareFertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. If you plant flowers on previous year's wood, prune after flowering by cutting back flowered shoots to strong buds, young lower growth, or basal growth. For those that flower on the current season's wood, cut back to a low permanent framework as buds begin to swell in early spring
PropagationTake greenwood cuttings in summer. Suckering species can be divided in late autumn or early spring.
ProblemsSpirea can be affected by dieback, fireblight, powdery mildew, Cylindrocladium leaf spot, weevils, scale insects, and aphids.
