The Ultimate Guide to Spirea: A Low-Maintenance Shrub with Stunning Blooms
Spirea, also spelled spiraea, is a popular shrub known for its vibrant blooms and minimal maintenance requirements. With clusters of tiny flowers in colors ranging from white to pink to deep red, spirea adds a burst of color to any garden. It blooms both in early summer and again in the fall, making it a long-lasting addition to your landscape.
But there's more to spirea than just its beauty. Some species of spirea are native to North America and have been historically used by indigenous peoples for medicinal purposes. These plants were used to treat various ailments, including fevers, headaches, and digestive issues, adding a fascinating historical dimension to their charm.
This month, the garden experts at Copper Creek Garden Center are taking a closer look at this versatile plant. We'll cover everything you need to know about spirea, from selecting the right variety to planting, watering, and maintaining these stunning shrubs.
Magic Carpet Spirea
Selecting the Perfect Spirea Variety
Nikki Holst, Director of Retail and Customer Experience at Copper Creek in Nisswa, highlights several varieties of spirea available in our Garden Center greenhouse. If you’re looking for something specific, we can also order other varieties to meet your needs.
Spirea Varieties in Stock:
Double Play Big Bang: Features extra-large pink blooms and colorful new growth, making the plant interesting even when it's not in bloom.
Glow Girl: Buds with hints of red open to white flowers. This variety holds color well and is incredibly hardy.
Little Princess: Has finely textured light green leaves with pink flowers in the spring/summer and red foliage in the fall.
Pink Sparkler: Boasts large pink flowers in the summer and burgundy-red leaves in autumn with minimal maintenance.
Superstar: Showcases dense clusters of pink blooms from late spring to early summer, with dark green foliage that turns burgundy in autumn.
The Benefits of Spirea
Spirea is more than just a pretty face in your garden. Here are some of the biggest benefits of incorporating this shrub into your landscape:
Deer-Resistant: Most spirea shrubs, including Japanese spirea and the Double Play series, are deer-resistant.
Tolerant of Various Conditions: Spirea can thrive in a variety of conditions, including heat, drought, humidity, cold, and poor soils.
Pollinator-Friendly: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Versatile Growth: Spirea shrubs can range in height from 1 to 6 feet, with foliage in shades of green, lime, orange, and dusky purple, and flowers in white or pink.
Goldmound Spirea
When and How to Plant Spirea
The best time to plant spirea is in early spring or early fall. These periods allow the shrub to establish its roots before facing extreme temperatures.
Spring Planting: Provides a full growing season for the shrub to establish itself, with cooler weather and increased moisture aiding root growth.
Fall Planting: The warm soil from summer encourages root growth, allowing the spirea to be well-established by winter.
Getting the Planting Zone Right
Before planting, it’s essential to check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to ensure that spirea is suitable for your area. Spirea thrives in zones 4-8, which includes much of Minnesota. When purchasing spirea, consult with our garden experts for recommendations, as some varieties are more tolerant of heat and cold than others. Be sure to check out Copper Creek’s Article: Understanding Plant Zone Hardiness in Minnesota for more information.
Snowmound Spirea
How to Plant Spirea: A Step-by-Step Guide
Choose the Right Location:
Sunlight: Spirea prefers full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. While it can tolerate partial shade, full sun will yield more vibrant blooms.
Soil: Spirea is adaptable to various soil types but thrives in well-drained, loamy soil. Amend heavy clay soils with compost or sand to improve drainage.
Prepare the Soil:
Amendment: Mix in organic matter like compost to enrich the soil and help retain moisture.
pH Level: Spirea prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0 to 7.0).
Planting Process:
Dig the Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Remove the plant from its container, gently loosen the roots, and place it in the hole. Backfill with soil and water thoroughly.
Spacing: Space multiple shrubs 2 to 4 feet apart, depending on the variety.
Neon Flash Spirea
Sustaining Your Spirea: Care Tips
Once planted, spirea is relatively low-maintenance, but following these best practices will ensure your shrub remains healthy and vibrant.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Once established, spirea is drought-tolerant and only needs watering during prolonged dry periods.
Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
Pruning: Prune after flowering to encourage a second bloom. Spring-blooming varieties should be pruned immediately after flowering, while summer-blooming varieties should be pruned in late winter or early spring.
Fertilizing: Spirea doesn’t require much fertilization if planted in rich soil, but a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can boost growth and blooming.
Pest and Disease Control: Spirea is relatively pest-resistant but watch for aphids or spider mites. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if needed.
Double Play Big Bang Spirea
Incorporating Spirea into Your Landscape Design
Spirea's versatility makes it an excellent choice for various landscaping designs:
Foundation Planting: Use spirea as a low-maintenance foundation plant to define borders around your home or garden beds.
Hedges and Privacy Screens: Spirea works well as an informal hedge due to its dense growth and ease of pruning.
Mass Planting: Create stunning displays by planting spirea in mass groupings, especially on slopes or large open areas.
Cottage and Woodland Gardens: Pair spirea with other shrubs and perennials like roses, hydrangeas, or hostas for a soft, romantic effect.
Accent and Specimen Planting: Use larger spirea varieties as specimen plants to create focal points in your garden.
Erosion Control: Spirea can be effective for erosion control on slopes and hillsides due to its dense root system.
Mixed Shrub Borders: Combine spirea with other shrubs of varying heights and textures to create a visually interesting mixed border.
Container Gardening: Dwarf varieties of spirea can be grown in containers to add color and texture to patios, decks, or balconies.
Low-Maintenance Gardens: Spirea is an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens, requiring little water once established.
Winter Interest: Even when not in bloom, spirea provides structure in the garden with its arching branches and persistent seed heads.
If spirea were up for coronation, it would likely be crowned the queen of shrubs. Its ease of care, versatility, extended bloom time, and multi-season interest make it a favorite among gardeners of all skill levels.
Whether you’re considering adding spirea to your garden or need expert advice on the best varieties for your landscape, visit us at Copper Creek Garden Center. Our garden experts are here to help you find the perfect spirea variety to create a beautiful, functional, and low-maintenance garden year-round.