Spiraea Japonica | Japanese Spirea
Spiraea Japonica (Japanese Spirea) is a deciduous shrub native to China and Japan, where it can be found growing on woodland borders, slopes, rocky hillsides, and riverbanks. It is a fast-growing shrub that is well known and desired across North American gardens.
It is a mounded shrub creating a dense network of wiry stems. Sharply toothed and ovate in shape, the foliage of this shrub is lush and bright green. In the spring, flowers emerge in colors of white, light pink, and bright pink. It flowers profusely, with flower clusters almost completely covering the foliage, creating gentle, pink cushion-like mounds in the garden. Pollinators are particularly attracted to this impressive flowering.
Plant Details - Spiraea Japonica (Japanese Spirea)
Family: Rosaceae
Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9
Light Requirement: Full sun for best flowering and foliage color
Water Needs: Moderate
Height: 2 - 6 ft
Spread: 2 - 5 ft
Growth Rate: Fast
Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
Flower Color: Pink, rose, red, or white, depending on the variety
Wildlife Value: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
Plant as a border plant or as a part of a low-rising hedge. Choose a location in which it has room to expand, and do not plant with slow-growing shrubs, as it will overtake them with its fast growth habit. It also contributes beautifully to a mixed hedge, but take note to prune regularly to keep the plant tidy and contained.
In the eastern United States, Spiraea Japonica easily escapes garden settings and naturalizes in a variety of ecosystems, and outcompetes native plants. It is listed as invasive in many states of the southeast, such as Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Landscape Uses and Maintenance - Spiraea Japonica
It is easily grown in full sun with average soils and prefers alkaline soils that are well-drained. However, some light shade will be tolerated. Since this shrub only flowers on new growth, it is important to prune in late winter to ensure ample new growth for next season’s flowering. It grows quickly and can be aggressive. It is a suckering and easily self-seeds, and will spread to form dense thickets if not pruned or controlled.
It can be susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases like mildew, leaf spot, and aphids, which are also common ailments of other Rose family. While they can be susceptible to some pests and diseases, they are robust and relatively easy to grow.
Noteworthy Characteristics of Spiraea Japonica
Attractive to pollinators, profuse flowering, showy blooms
This deciduous and easy-to-grow shrub will add a soft and sort of cozy element to your garden with its gentle mounding, cushion-like appearance. Shop for Spiraea Japonica shrubs online at TN Nursery. For 68 years, we have served the landscaping industry and homeowners with specimen plants.
