Many gardeners look for permanence in their planting. It means less work and with planning, provides colour and interest as the seasons change. We tend to look at roses, herbaceous plants and bulbs for colour, however, there are many low growing shrubs that give us colour in foliage and flower. Spiraea, commonly known as Bridal Wreath is one such shrub. It gives us all that with the benefit of permanence, minimum maintenance along with colour in foliage and flower.
Spiraea is a genus of flowering shrubs native mainly to China and Japan. They vary in height, foliage and flower colour. It is a shrub that I consider to be well behaved, never wildly exceeding its allotted space. It also sits very easily among a border planted predominantly with herbaceous perennials which perennials die back underground for the winter season leaving behind very little, but Spiraea maintains some structure in a border.
Spiraea japonica ‘Anthony Waterer’ is a well-formed shrub with interesting leaves that have a dark red-bronze tinge when young and on occasion a variegation of pink and cream, however this is not always present.
It grows to a height of 1.2m and in late summer has clusters of dark red flowers. Slightly smaller in size is Spiraea japonica ‘Dart’s Red’, considered to be an improvement on S japonica ‘Anthony Waterer’ with its narrow-pointed leaves and dark pink flowers. It is a more compact grower to 75cm, so if your space is restricted this works well.
Blooming
Spiraea ‘Arguta’ commonly known as the Bridal Wreath, is a long time in the trade, having been developed in 1884, but it still has a place in our gardens. It is in bloom at the moment with bunches of small white flowers in profusion, almost like a foaming fountain, and is a beautiful sight. It is a large shrub which can reach 2m in time.
Spiraea nipponica ‘Snowmound’ is a larger shrub and equally impressive. It produces many white flowers in dome-shaped clusters through summer. It grows to a height and spread of 2.5m so it requires some space to show it off to its best.
It is in bloom at the moment with bunches of small white flowers in profusion, almost like a foaming fountain, and is a beautiful sight
Like others of the species this makes a good informal flowering hedge. It is particularly beneficial to a wide range of insects so is welcomed in a wildlife garden. As a vigorous grower it should be pruned back hard to the shape you require in early spring.
Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tors Gold’ is a well-formed round shrub growing to 1m. The foliage is rich yellow when young, maturing to a lime-green colour. The white flowers are held in clusters during summer.
Spiraea japonica ‘Firelight’ is another colourful spectacle and a substantial grower too, reaching heights of up to 1.2m. The leaves open a cherry-red colour changing to green all summer and a beautiful reddish-purple in autumn. Added to all this colour are rich pink flowers in summer.
Spiraea japonica ‘Goldflame’ is one of the most beautiful shrubs we grow. It gets to a height of 75cm and is a compact grower maintaining its shape. It has young foliage that is bronze coloured as it opens, changing to rich yellow. Its flowers appear in late summer and are pink in colour. I have seen it used as a low hedge and minimal trimming keeps it in shape. We plant it alongside Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ and with its dark purple foliage, they pair extremely well. If you are finding it difficult to source, try S. japonica ‘Golden Princess’, which will give you the same result but grows a little taller.
Spiraea are easily maintained and with minimum effort maintain their shape and size. They are hardy and survive well in our Irish climate. As with all shrubs, good soil preparation benefits the quality of growth and flowering. Dig the planting area well and incorporate well-rotted compost. Before planting always soak new plants in a bucket of water until all bubbles stop and then plant immediately. Water after planting and in their first season of growth monitor drought periods and water accordingly.
Pruning is the key and it is not in any way onerous. Before growth starts trim all shoots back to the original shape or the shape you require. This way you will maintain a colourful shrub in your planting scheme.
Watering: Take every opportunity to harvest rainwater. All downpipes can be converted to take water into water butts.
Herbaceous plants: Herbaceous plants are now in full growth, continue staking with bamboo canes, always use cane caps.
Shrubs: Now is the time to prune Forsythia, cut out all branches that have flowered and encourage fresh new growth.
Fruit and vegetables: Earth up potatoes as they grow, continue to sow lettuce, scallions and radish.
Roses: Start dead-heading roses after flowering, this will encourage many more blooms.
Q&A: Is it too late to move perennial plants?
A bed of rudbeckias for a flower shop. summer decoration for a vase or puget.
I planned to move a Rudbeckia during winter but forgot. It was very problematic last summer, is it too late to do it now? Donal, Co Louth.
Herbaceous perennials are mostly forgiving and yes, you can still move your plant. It does require planning, however. Firstly, water the plant well in the days before lifting and prepare the new planting area where you are planning to re-plant it, dig the area well and incorporate well-rotted compost. Water the new area in advance of planting. Choose a dull day to carry out the job and make sure you will have no interruptions. Dig around the clump and get as much soil as you can. Move to its new location and replant. Monitor for watering and all should work well for you.
Many gardeners look for permanence in their planting. It means less work and with planning, provides colour and interest as the seasons change. We tend to look at roses, herbaceous plants and bulbs for colour, however, there are many low growing shrubs that give us colour in foliage and flower. Spiraea, commonly known as Bridal Wreath is one such shrub. It gives us all that with the benefit of permanence, minimum maintenance along with colour in foliage and flower.
Spiraea is a genus of flowering shrubs native mainly to China and Japan. They vary in height, foliage and flower colour. It is a shrub that I consider to be well behaved, never wildly exceeding its allotted space. It also sits very easily among a border planted predominantly with herbaceous perennials which perennials die back underground for the winter season leaving behind very little, but Spiraea maintains some structure in a border.
Spiraea japonica ‘Anthony Waterer’ is a well-formed shrub with interesting leaves that have a dark red-bronze tinge when young and on occasion a variegation of pink and cream, however this is not always present.
It grows to a height of 1.2m and in late summer has clusters of dark red flowers. Slightly smaller in size is Spiraea japonica ‘Dart’s Red’, considered to be an improvement on S japonica ‘Anthony Waterer’ with its narrow-pointed leaves and dark pink flowers. It is a more compact grower to 75cm, so if your space is restricted this works well.
Blooming
Spiraea ‘Arguta’ commonly known as the Bridal Wreath, is a long time in the trade, having been developed in 1884, but it still has a place in our gardens. It is in bloom at the moment with bunches of small white flowers in profusion, almost like a foaming fountain, and is a beautiful sight. It is a large shrub which can reach 2m in time.
Spiraea nipponica ‘Snowmound’ is a larger shrub and equally impressive. It produces many white flowers in dome-shaped clusters through summer. It grows to a height and spread of 2.5m so it requires some space to show it off to its best.
It is in bloom at the moment with bunches of small white flowers in profusion, almost like a foaming fountain, and is a beautiful sight
Like others of the species this makes a good informal flowering hedge. It is particularly beneficial to a wide range of insects so is welcomed in a wildlife garden. As a vigorous grower it should be pruned back hard to the shape you require in early spring.
Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tors Gold’ is a well-formed round shrub growing to 1m. The foliage is rich yellow when young, maturing to a lime-green colour. The white flowers are held in clusters during summer.
Spiraea japonica ‘Firelight’ is another colourful spectacle and a substantial grower too, reaching heights of up to 1.2m. The leaves open a cherry-red colour changing to green all summer and a beautiful reddish-purple in autumn. Added to all this colour are rich pink flowers in summer.
Spiraea japonica ‘Goldflame’ is one of the most beautiful shrubs we grow. It gets to a height of 75cm and is a compact grower maintaining its shape. It has young foliage that is bronze coloured as it opens, changing to rich yellow. Its flowers appear in late summer and are pink in colour. I have seen it used as a low hedge and minimal trimming keeps it in shape. We plant it alongside Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ and with its dark purple foliage, they pair extremely well. If you are finding it difficult to source, try S. japonica ‘Golden Princess’, which will give you the same result but grows a little taller.
Spiraea are easily maintained and with minimum effort maintain their shape and size. They are hardy and survive well in our Irish climate. As with all shrubs, good soil preparation benefits the quality of growth and flowering. Dig the planting area well and incorporate well-rotted compost. Before planting always soak new plants in a bucket of water until all bubbles stop and then plant immediately. Water after planting and in their first season of growth monitor drought periods and water accordingly.
Pruning is the key and it is not in any way onerous. Before growth starts trim all shoots back to the original shape or the shape you require. This way you will maintain a colourful shrub in your planting scheme.
Watering: Take every opportunity to harvest rainwater. All downpipes can be converted to take water into water butts.
Herbaceous plants: Herbaceous plants are now in full growth, continue staking with bamboo canes, always use cane caps.
Shrubs: Now is the time to prune Forsythia, cut out all branches that have flowered and encourage fresh new growth.
Fruit and vegetables: Earth up potatoes as they grow, continue to sow lettuce, scallions and radish.
Roses: Start dead-heading roses after flowering, this will encourage many more blooms.
Q&A: Is it too late to move perennial plants?
A bed of rudbeckias for a flower shop. summer decoration for a vase or puget.
I planned to move a Rudbeckia during winter but forgot. It was very problematic last summer, is it too late to do it now? Donal, Co Louth.
Herbaceous perennials are mostly forgiving and yes, you can still move your plant. It does require planning, however. Firstly, water the plant well in the days before lifting and prepare the new planting area where you are planning to re-plant it, dig the area well and incorporate well-rotted compost. Water the new area in advance of planting. Choose a dull day to carry out the job and make sure you will have no interruptions. Dig around the clump and get as much soil as you can. Move to its new location and replant. Monitor for watering and all should work well for you.
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