Japanese spirea: types, planting, care and photos. Spiraea japonica Spiraea japonica varieties

Japanese spirea is a very popular shrub among landscape designers, and it gained this fame due to the fact that its decorative effect persists from early spring until the very first frost. The price of planting material is low, and you can buy it in almost every nursery.

For all its external beauty, Japanese spirea is easy to plant and care for. The peculiarity of this plant is that it is very hardy and can easily adapt to various natural conditions. In our country it is grown almost everywhere, from the South coast to cold and dry areas. However, there are several varieties that can freeze in harsh winter conditions; they require spring pruning for sanitary purposes, after which the bush will recover and bloom in the same year.

Japanese spirea needs 3-4 hours of direct sun during the day; if this minimum is met, the owner of the plant will be able to admire not only lush growth, but also abundant flowering. In constant sunlight, the bush will naturally be even more luxurious.

Agrotechnical features of growing Japanese spirea

Soil fertility, intensity of watering, method of shelter in winter - all this is not so important for spirea. It is necessary to water the plant only during the first year after transplantation. There are no special recommendations for pruning, but the crown of the plant, under skillful hands, is perfectly formed. The shrub can grow from 30 cm to one and a half meters, it all depends on which variety was purchased. The shape of the crown can be described as spherical, in some cases dense and dense, in others sparse and disheveled. The foliage is excellent, even close to the ground the trunks are not visible.

Japanese can often be found not only on the Internet, but also on the pages of monthly catalogs with planting material, where many different varieties are offered to gardeners. Flowering begins in July and continues until August. Only those shoots that appeared on the plant this year flourish. Seed ripening period is October. Daughter plants take root easily. For successful rooting, you need to dig a hole the size of which will correspond to the roots. If the soil is fertile, then planting will not require additional feeding. This shrub is often used as a hedge; for example, the Japanese spirea variety “Goldflame” is suitable for this purpose.

Decorating a personal plot using Japanese spirea plantings

The shrub looks bright all year round, so it is very convenient for decorating gardens. There are no so-called “dips” in its beauty that affect a particular season. The roots of the plant do not entwine the roots of its neighbors, and the bush itself is not distinguished by a large number of root shoots. The plant gets along well with any environment.

Such as: mock orange, lilac, magnolia. The compactness of the bush allows it to be planted even in flower beds with bulbous plants and annuals. They can also be used to decorate rock gardens with low-growing perennials. Spiraea is indispensable where it is necessary to create a single bright image, for example, as a hedge, dividing border, when planting slopes.

Spirea plantings need to be trimmed once a month, but the plant, of course, will not bloom. Therefore, before planting, it is advisable to decide in what capacity this shrub will be used, as a profusely flowering plant or as a decorative foliage form. It lends itself perfectly to pruning, the bush is completely leafy and well developed. Some compact plants produce wonderful golden foliage, such as the Japanese spirea variety 'Goldmound'.

Sanitary or anti-aging pruning is carried out so as not to disturb the symmetry of the shoots. Only broken branches and dead wood are cut out. Bushes that are more than 4 years old undergo more detailed pruning; several branches are removed from them down to the base of the trunk.

Decorative varieties of Japanese spirea: features and disadvantages

Japanese spirea, as the name suggests, was brought to us from Japan, but it is also grown in China. A beautiful shrub with tomentose-pubescent shoots, oblong succulent leaves, green at the top and bluish below, which by autumn are colored in various shades of red-orange. Flowering continues up to 50 days a year. This type of spirea has many varieties that differ in the intensity of color and flowering, height, and crown shape. In our country, the following varieties are considered the most common.

Japanese spirea variety "Little Princess"

The plant forms a neat bush up to 60 cm in height, with a rounded compact crown, blue-green foliage in the shape of an elongated ellipse. The flowers are pink in color, collected in a scale inflorescence. Flowering occurs in early to mid-summer. The growth of the bush is slow. Looks great both in a single planting and when landscaping forest edges, creating shrub groups, etc. Among the disadvantages of the variety, one can note the rapid loss of shade intensity in flowers, which can fade in the bright sun.

Japanese spirea variety "Shirobana"

Shrub reaching a height of 80cm. With dark green narrow lanceolate leaves, about 2.5 cm in length. The color of the flowers of this variety can be white or bright pink, and sometimes even red. It all depends on how lit the place where the bush grows is. It blooms in July and produces abundant new flower stalks until mid-August. This variety can be used to diversify rock gardens, low borders, compositions of conifers or other shrubs. The disadvantage of this variety is that the bush is untidy; without pruning, the spirea forms a crown chaotically.

Japanese spirea variety "Albiflora"

She is also a white spirea. The height of the bush is 60 cm, and the flowers themselves are snow-white, which is very unusual for spireas that bloom in the summer. During flowering, an indescribable, thick and rich aroma hovers over the bush. The foliage of the plant is green, oval-shaped, and against its background the white inflorescences look especially stunning. However, when the flower fades, it acquires a brownish-withered hue, so such flower stalks must be removed in a timely manner.

Japanese spirea variety "Golden Princess"

An interesting shrub, reaching a height of 50-60cm, the crown diameter range is 1 m and a little more. In the spring, the foliage acquires a bright yellow tint, in the summer it becomes lighter, and in the fall the leaves become orange, with soft undertones. The leaf is 7-8 cm long. Flowering is profuse and begins in June. The flowers themselves are pink or red-pink, collected in a scale inflorescence, which can be up to 5 cm in diameter. The plant attracts many insects, so it is not recommended to plant it in places for walking and children's recreation.

Spiraea is often used as an ornamental ground cover that gets along well with other low-growing plants, such as cinquefoil, lavender, St. John's wort, rudbeckia, yarrow and field grasses. Recently, this shrub can be found not only in private gardens, but also in city parks.

Pruning spirea - video

1. Varieties of Japanese spirea with photos
2. How to care
3. Trimming
4. Reproduction methods
5. Application in garden design

Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica) is perhaps the most popular type of crop in garden landscaping, native to Japan and some Asian countries. The plant is a dense, low-growing, deciduous, slow-growing shrub with tiny pink, ruby ​​or white flowers collected in flat corymbose inflorescences at the tops of the shoots. The flowering period usually lasts from late spring to mid-summer or early September.

The popularity of Japanese spirea is explained by its ease of care, high decorativeness, resistance to frost and drought, flowering time and availability in many varietal varieties. Decorative leafy varieties with lemon or light green foliage look especially great.

Varieties of Japanese spirea

"Anthony Waterer" Characterized by narrow lanceolate dark green leaves that turn a striking purple color in autumn. Rich pink flowers appear in midsummer.

"Little Princess"- a compact, round-shaped bush just over half a meter tall. In late spring to mid-summer it is covered with numerous pink inflorescences. The green leaves turn a gorgeous shade of red in the fall.

"Macrophylla"- a large shrub about 1 meter high with large rounded leaves, which amaze with their decorative effect in the autumn, acquiring all shades of red, orange and purple.

"Albiflora"- a compact bush, reaching about 60-80 cm in height, characterized by white flowering.

Miniature round-shaped variety "Golden Carpet" only 20-30 cm tall with creeping shoots. Attracts gardeners with its amazing lemon-colored foliage.

Spirea "Golden Princess"- a low compact bush, which at the age of 10 years reaches 50 cm in height and 80 cm in width. Numerous small leaves of intense golden color retain their shade throughout the growing season. In summer, the decorative value of the plant increases due to abundant flowering.

Variety "Dart's Red" about 60 cm high. Light green lanceolate leaves, flat inflorescences of ruby-pink color adorn the round-shaped bush from June to September.

Variety "Japanese Dwarf" or "Japanese gnome" is a dwarf compact shrub, about 40 cm in height. The annual growth is 5 cm. During the flowering period, the bush is completely covered with large pale pink inflorescences.

"Bullata"- an original variety, which is a low-growing bush with dark green wrinkled leaves. Its height is about 40 cm. Ideal for decorating rock gardens and alpine slides.

"Crispa"- varietal form with jagged leaves and large pink inflorescences. Grows up to 60 cm. In autumn the leaves turn red-violet.

The "Walbuma" variety, usually sold under the brand name "Magic Carpet", was bred by an English breeder and is a ground cover and spreading shrub with small bright pink inflorescences. Its young creeping shoots and leaves are initially orange-red in color, and as they grow they acquire a lemon color that varies depending on the light. In full sun, mature leaves are golden, and in partial shade they are golden green. Autumn foliage color is red-pink, plant height is 30-40 cm.

Variety "Goldflame" or "Golden Flame" received its name due to the shoots that seem to "burn" at the tips with an intense copper color - young leaves are initially tinged with brown and red, and in a later period they become yellow-green. Therefore, in spring this variety of Japanese spirea is one of the brightest shrubs. Dark pink flowers appear on the current year's shoots. The height of an adult bush is about 80 cm.

Varietal form "Goldmound". A fabulous shrub with bright, sunny foliage, the color of which depends on the brightness of the light. Planted in the shade, it loses its decorative color as the foliage turns green. Easily withstands minus 30 degrees and even lower temperatures. Flowering from May to July. The bush has a beautiful round shape and grows up to 60 cm in height.

How to care for Japanese spirea

After planting, caring for Japanese spirea requires minimal time. This species feels equally good in the sun and in partial shade, but decorative deciduous varieties require bright lighting to maintain the spectacular color of the foliage.

Soils for the plant are best suited to fertile, loamy, well-drained soils with moderate moisture, but the plant also adapts well to poorer soil, and mature shrubs can tolerate short-term drought, but regular watering is necessary during long dry periods and during the first few weeks after planting .

It should be taken into account that the shrub does not tolerate constantly damp soil and air humidity, which contribute to the formation of fungal diseases.

Japanese spirea, planted in fertile humus soil, does not particularly need feeding. A 2-3 cm layer of compost mulch allows you to enrich the soil around the plant with nutrients and retain moisture in the heat. Caring for Japanese spirea also includes timely removal of faded inflorescences, which promotes longer flowering.

Pruning Japanese spirea

When growing shrubs, it is advisable to carry out pruning, which rejuvenates the plant, stimulates abundant flowering and allows it to form a beautiful shape.

Flowers of this type of crop are formed on the shoots of the current year, so pruning is carried out in early spring, even before growth begins. The shoots are cut to 5-20 cm, depending on the height of the variety. Remove dry, damaged and old branches; bushes that are too thick are thinned out a little.

Reproduction methods

Japanese spirea is propagated by dividing the bush, layering and cuttings in open ground. The first two methods are the simplest. Only mature 3-4 year old bushes are divided in mid-spring, carefully cutting the root system into 2-3 parts. Roots that are too long can be shortened. The cuttings are planted in a permanent place and watered well for the first two weeks.

To obtain young plants using layering, take a well-developed side shoot, tilt it to the ground, place it in a prepared groove, pin it and cover it with soil. At the end of the season, the shoot takes root and produces 2-3 young seedlings. Next year, the cuttings can be separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a new location.

Cuttings are a more labor-intensive method of propagating Japanese spirea. At the end of summer or early autumn, parts of the shoots 10-15 cm long are cut off. The lower leaves are removed, the rest are cut to half and the cuttings are placed in water with the addition of “Kornevin” for about 2-3 hours. Then they are buried in a damp mixture of sand and compost (compost on the bottom and a layer of sand on top) at an angle of 45 degrees, since this position stimulates the growth of the root system well. The cuttings are covered with a bag or jar. Monitor soil moisture and periodically ventilate the greenhouse. As soon as the plants begin to grow, the cover is removed. For the winter, seedlings are covered with leaves, agrofibre or spruce branches.

Application in landscape design

Due to its high decorative qualities, this type of spirea fits into almost any style of landscape design. For example, low-growing varieties of shrubs are an indispensable decoration for rockeries and alpine slides. Japanese spirea looks great in composition with coniferous crops and such decorative deciduous and flowering shrubs as barberry, euonymus, cotoneaster, Japanese quince, hydrangea, buddleia, and roses.

Japanese spirea is a unique plant that is useful on the site both as a hedge and as a decorative decoration. Spiraea can also be grown in cool climates - it is quite unpretentious. We will learn the features of growing Japanese spirea in open ground, find out all the nuances of planting and caring for it.

Description

Japanese spirea is one of the representatives of the Rosaceae family. The shrub is compact in size, deciduous, and can be grown in various regions of our country. Pay attention to the photospirea presented on our website.

An interesting feature of the color of spirea foliage is that only when they bloom in the spring, they are brown, then by summer they turn green, and closer to autumn the foliage becomes red. Many landscape designers use this unique feature of spirea, giving the site a magnificent look.

Spiraea flowers have a pinkish-red hue, are small, but collected in rather lush and multiple inflorescences. The diameter of one inflorescence can be either 5 or 30 centimeters, depending on the variety. In addition, this plant has a very long flowering period: from the end of June until the fall.

All varieties of spirea are divided into:

• spring flowering;
• summer flowering.

The first ones begin to bloom from mid-late May, and the second ones (there are more of them) - from the end of June. Japanese spirea is a summer-flowering variety.

Varieties

Little princesses

A compact shrub that grows 50-60 cm in height. The pink color of the inflorescences-corythes contrasts beautifully with the dark green dense foliage (see photo).

Goldflame

A variety characterized by a particularly noticeable change in foliage color. The flowers are small, pink, and look very decorative against the background of beautiful leaves.

Crispa

A low shrub, does not grow higher than half a meter. The flowers are very delicate, light pink, collected in graceful umbrella inflorescences. Spiraea Crispa is valued for its long-term flowering - the decorative period lasts about two months.

Macrophila

It is distinguished by extremely decorative foliage that changes color. So, in the spring, the leaves of Macrophila have a purple tint, in the summer - green, and in the fall the foliage becomes golden and orange.

Golden princesses

This Spiraea reaches a meter in height and is distinguished by reddish-pink flowers and yellow foliage.

A variety such as Shirobana is also often planted. The variety boasts a compact bush and simultaneous flowering of both pink and white flowers on one plant.

In landscape design, Japanese spirea is valued for its exceptional decorative properties. Various varieties of it are used to create hedges and to decorate flower arrangements and alpine slides.

Growing conditions

Let's find out what requirements the Japanese spirea makes for the conditions of its maintenance and location.

Selecting a location

Although the plant is unpretentious, it will best demonstrate its decorative qualities when planted in a sunny, well-lit area. By the way, spirea can feel quite good in the shady corners of the garden, however, in this case it will not be particularly decorative: the inflorescences will be smaller and the color of the foliage will not be so bright.

It is also important to know that the space allocated for spirea must be quite large, since the roots of the plant grow underground over an area larger than the area of ​​the shrub itself.

The soil

Japanese spirea will feel best in fertile, well-fertilized soil. Take care of this before planting by adding the necessary nutrients to the soil.

Planting time and seedling selection

Spiraea should be planted in open ground in the spring. However, it is necessary to have time to plant before the leaves bloom on the plant. Purchase seedlings from trusted nurseries, paying attention to the roots of the plant: it is important that they are not overdried. Otherwise, the spirea will not take root. When purchasing seedlings with bare roots, choose specimens with live buds, but not yet starting to grow. Bend the roots and shoots (without fanaticism) - they should be flexible and not brittle.

Preparing for landing

If the plant has damaged roots, remove them with sharp, well-disinfected pruners. If some healthy roots are too long, shorten them too.

Before planting, soak the roots of the plant in water with potassium permanganate. The procedure will simultaneously solve two problems: it will relieve the roots from drying out and ensure disinfection.

Landing

How to properly plant Japanese spirea in open ground.

The first step is to prepare the hole. Its volume should be one third greater than the approximate volume of spirea roots. The hole should be allowed to settle for two to four days before planting.

Planting should be done in cloudy weather or rain. Place a drainage layer of crushed brick at the bottom of the dug hole with a layer of approximately 15-20 cm. The soil should be as follows:

• turf soil - 30 parts;
• humus - 2 parts;
• peat soil - 1 part;
• river sand - 1 part.

Mix all ingredients.

Dip the roots of the plant into the hole, straighten them carefully, and cover them with carefully prepared soil mixture. The root collar should be located above the ground and not buried. When filling the hole with soil, immediately compact the soil as the process progresses.

After planting, water the bush using 1-2 buckets of water. Mulch the root circle with dry peat. Also make several depressions in the diameter of the root circle to retain water: in this way you will ensure better hydration of the plant's roots.

A couple of days after planting, water the plant with water with ammonia dissolved in it. This substance acts on spirea like an anti-stress drug: it will nourish the roots while they have not yet completely taken root. In addition, ammonia will help you gain green mass faster. By the way, fertilizing with ammonia can be done later, when the plant has already taken root and is actively growing.

Care

Top dressing

To ensure long-term and abundant flowering of spirea, you should pamper it with additional nutrition. Proper care involves fertilizing twice a season: after spring pruning and in July. In the spring, add a mineral complex solution, and in the summer, add a mullein solution. It is recommended to pour from 1 to three liters of fertilizer under one bush.

Loosening, mulching

Japanese spirea grows best in loose, well-permeable soil. Therefore, after watering and rain, it is advisable to loosen the soil in the root circle, removing weeds at the same time. Mulching will help retain moisture and get rid of weeds. Use dry compost or peat as mulch.

Drafts

Japanese spirea is not afraid of the wind, so it can feel good in open areas. However, too strong gusts can negatively affect flowering, so it is better to protect the spirea from drafts during the period of bud formation

Watering

The plant needs moderate watering. If it is hot outside, then the moisturizing procedure is mandatory. On average, in cool weather they spend 10 liters of water (a bucket) per bush with one watering, in hot weather - 20 liters. Watering frequency - twice a month.

Irrigation and spraying

As for spraying, spirea does not need this procedure. Irrigation is beneficial for its root system; there is no need to irrigate the foliage.

Pest treatment

In general, this plant is resistant to diseases and pest damage. Nevertheless, although rarely, sometimes spirea is attacked by aphids and spider mites. To cope with these pests, gardeners recommend spraying with a solution of hot pepper, karbofos, and tobacco. Products such as Actellik and Aktara have proven themselves well against spider mites.

But it’s better to prevent pest damage in the first place. Carry out preventive spraying in advance - and then the spirea will always be healthy and strong. By the way, watering with water with ammonia serves not only as fertilizing, but also prevents many plant diseases.

Pruning, replanting

This shrub grows quickly, so regular shaping is necessary. Every year in the spring before the growing season, shorten the regrown shoots down to the first strong and strong buds. In addition, after each winter, remove weed shoots: weak, diseased, frostbitten.

When the bush is four years old, you can prune it further, removing up to 30 cm of shoots. Keep in mind, the more you shorten the spirea shoots, the more lush and profusely flowering the bush will be.

Reproduction

The plant can be propagated in four ways:

• seeds;
• dividing the bush;
• layering;
• cuttings.

In amateur gardening, the method of cuttings or layering is usually used. Dividing a bush already requires a more professional approach, not to mention seed propagation - long and painstaking. In addition, there is a risk of buying the wrong seeds: for example, hybrid varieties of spirea, in principle, cannot be bred from seeds.

Care at different times of the year, wintering

In spring and autumn, the plant only needs pruning, but spirea tolerates winter quite well. However, if you live in an area with snowless and frosty winters, it is better to cover the roots of the plant for the winter. And even if you live in an area with a temperate climate, it is advisable to cover the roots of those plants that are not yet four years old for the winter. Young spirea tolerates cold worse. You can use spruce branches or fallen leaves as cover - a layer of 15-20 cm is quite enough.

Keep in mind that spirea blooms for the first time only in the third year after planting. You should be patient - the decorative spectacle of the bush blooming is worth it.

It is also important to know that the root system of the plant is superficial, therefore it cannot take moisture from deep layers of soil. Therefore, do not allow the roots to dry out, and be sure to water the spirea regularly, twice as much in hot weather.

A spirea bush lives for about 17 years, but if, upon reaching the age of four, it does not please with abundant flowering, it is better to replace it with a higher-quality specimen.

Japanese spirea is a real decoration of the garden, striking with a unique combination of delicate flowers and brightly colored leaves. In addition, the shrub is unpretentious, so even novice gardeners can grow it. And our advice will definitely help you with this.

Spiraea occupies a prominent place among ornamental shrubs. For its lush flowering, unpretentiousness and frost resistance, it has won the love of summer residents, landscape designers and breeders. But some types and varieties of spirea are held in special esteem.

The name of this shrub translated from Latin means “bend”: the branches of the plant form a graceful arc. People sometimes call spirea meadowsweet, but this is incorrect. Meadowsweet and spirea have similar inflorescences, but they are different plants.

Spiraea is a shrub of the Rosaceae family, which has almost a hundred species. All of them are undemanding to growing conditions, reproduce easily, grow quickly, bloom for a long time, tolerate pruning well and have many other advantages. Today, spirea is widely used to decorate summer cottages and city parks.

Spiraea can live on the site for decades

The height of spirea can vary from 50 cm to 2.5 m. Flowering time - depending on the type - occurs in spring, summer or autumn. The shape of the crown can be spherical, weeping, pyramidal, cascading or erect. In addition to flowers, spirea also decorate the area with decorative foliage. Many varieties with openwork leaf shapes have been bred. In autumn they change color to bright red, yellow, and orange.

All types of spirea are divided into two large groups: spring-flowering and summer-flowering.

Spring-flowering spirea and their varieties

Spring species of spirea form inflorescences of predominantly white and cream shades. Flowering is usually very lush, at this time the bush looks like a white cloud. Due to this, spring spirea is sometimes called May snow. We list some of the most common types of this type.

Spiraea Vanhouttei (Spiraea x vanhouttei)

This hybrid spirea is a medium to tall shrub that produces a dense cascade of white flowers in late May. Tall varieties look great alone, while lower varieties look great in mixed plantings. Spiraea Wangutta is also suitable for hedges.

The most popular variety is Pink Ice, with variegated leaves and cream inflorescences.

Spiraea Wangutta variety Pink Ice - an ideal plant for solitary planting

Spiraea chamaedryfolia

One of the first to bloom - in early or mid-May. The shrub grows up to 1.5 m, sometimes a little higher. This species reproduces well by root shoots, so it is often planted in city parks. Also, oak-leaved spirea easily tolerates pruning, which is why it is excellent for hedges.

Spiraea oakleaf is not only an ornamental plant, but also a good honey plant

Spiraea nipponica

This is a lower, spherical shrub. Its height usually does not exceed 1 m. It blooms very profusely in late May and June. The Snowound and Halvard Silver varieties are especially impressive.

Spiraea Nipponensis varieties Snowound (left) and Halvard Silver (right)

Spiraea thunbergii

In the wild, Spiraea Thunberg is found on mountain slopes and in valleys. The bush reaches a height of no more than 1.5 m. Its dense branches are strewn with graceful leaves, which change their color from green to orange in autumn. Lush white inflorescences adorn the spirea from May to June. The plant prefers sunny places and in the middle zone it can freeze slightly in harsh winters.

The most popular varieties are Fujino Pink (with soft pink inflorescences on drooping branches) and Ogon (with golden-green willow-like leaves and white inflorescences).

Spiraea Thunberga Fujino Pink (left) and Ogon (right)

Crenate spirea (Spiraea crenata)

A spectacular shrub up to 1 m high with a loose crown and obovate leaves of a grayish-green color with a characteristic crenate edge and protruding veins. Yellowish-white flowers are collected in corymbose inflorescences.

Thanks to its well-developed root system, crenate spirea is not afraid of frost or drought.

Spiraea x cinerea

This is a hybrid of St. John's spirea (Spiraea hypericifolia) and whitish-gray spirea (Spiraea cana). The plant is a shrub up to 2 m high with branched shoots, gray-green pointed leaves and white flowers collected in loose inflorescences. This spirea blooms in May - early June.

The Grefsheim variety is especially interesting. This is a small, densely branched shrub with arched drooping branches, narrow leaves and large white double flowers.

Grefsheim is not only very beautiful, but also a completely unpretentious variety. The bush grows very quickly, tolerates pruning well, is not afraid of the cold and does not need good lighting

Summer-flowering spirea and their varieties

In spring spireas, flower buds are formed on two-year-old shoots, and in summer ones - on shoots of the current season. That's why they are cut off more often. Summer-blooming spireas are distinguished by inflorescences, usually in different shades of red and pink. Here are the most famous types.

Spiraea salicifolia

It usually grows from 1 to 2.5 m. From the end of June, the upright shrub is covered with light pink inflorescences. The light foliage, similar in shape to willow, turns red in the fall.

Spiraea loosestrife is most often grown in hedges.

In gardens, the most popular is the large-flowered form of willow spirea (f. grandiflora) - with more lush light pink flowers.

White-flowered spirea (Spiraea albiflora)

So named because it is one of the few summer species with white flowers. It blooms for a long time from the second half of summer and exudes a pleasant aroma. The bush is usually low - 1-1.5 m.

Of the varieties bred, it is worth noting Macrophila. Its foliage changes color twice: young leaves are red, gradually they become green, and in the fall they turn yellow.

Spiraea white-flowered variety Macrophila is famous for its large leaves

Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica)

This is the most common spirea. It is distinguished by its small height (usually about 50 cm), blooms for one and a half to two months, starting in mid-summer. Looks good in borders and group plantings.

Among the numerous varieties, one of the most spectacular is Shirobana. On one bush there are simultaneously flowers of white, pink and red shades. Also good are the varieties Golden Princess (distinguished by golden foliage), Gold Mound (leaves are also golden, but darker and with a pink tip).

Spiraea japonica varieties Shirobana, Golden Princess and Gold Mound (from left to right)

Douglas spirea (Spiraea douglasii)

A shrub up to 1.5 m high with straight, reddish-brown, pubescent shoots, oblong-lanceolate silver-green leaves and dark pink flowers, collected in narrow pyramidal or paniculate inflorescences. The plant blooms from July to August for approximately 45 days.

Douglas spirea is often used to strengthen slopes and slopes

Spiraea x bumalda

This hybrid of Japanese spirea and white-flowered spirea is found in gardens even more often than its “parents”. Spiraea Bumalda is a low shrub (up to 75 cm) with a spherical crown, erect branches, ovate-lanceolate leaves and pink or crimson flowers.

The most popular varieties:

• Gold Flame (flowers are pink, leaves are bronze-orange when blooming, later golden-yellow, greenish-yellow in summer, and copper-orange in autumn);
• Darts Red (inflorescences are deep crimson, the leaves are pinkish when blooming, dark green in summer, and red in autumn).

Spirea Gold Flame (left) and Darts Red (right)

Billard's spirea (Spiraea x billardii)

This is a winter-hardy hybrid of Douglas spirea and willow spirea. The bush grows up to 2 m high, is distinguished by broadly lanceolate leaves and pubescent bright pink inflorescences that decorate the plant in the second half of summer.

The most popular variety is Triumphans (with purple-pink spike-shaped inflorescences).

Spiraea Billarda variety Triumphans is suitable for creating hedges, as well as for group and single plantings in gardens and parks

Spiraea goes well with other plants. These can be flowering shrubs and strict conifers. Planting spirea allows you to cover the leafless part of lilacs and other shrubs and trees that are bare below. Miniature varieties will find their place among the stones on an alpine hill or in a rock garden. And tall spireas make excellent hedges. Select a corner in your flower garden for a charming spirea - and you won’t regret it!

Japanese spirea is one of the most popular plants in landscape design. It has high decorative parameters both in flowering and vegetative states. Does not make any special requirements for planting, soil and care.

General characteristics and description of the plant

Japanese spirea, or Japanese meadowsweet (lat. Spiraea japonica) is a perennial deciduous shrub or shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. The shoots are erect, with thick felt pubescence; in young shoots the pubescence is soft and appressed. The leaves are simple, petiolate, pubescent. Very valued for its flowers - panicles or corymbs collected in inflorescences.

The peculiarity of this plant is that it is very hardy and can easily adapt to various natural conditions.

Depending on the variety, the flowers can be white, red, pink, etc. Also, depending on the variety, flowers can be located both at the top of the stems and along almost the entire length of the shoot.

Japanese varietal spirea is usually divided into summer-flowering and spring-flowering.

Varieties of Japanese spirea

Japanese spirea has about 100 species and hybrids. The most popular are:

Little Princess

Spiraea japonica Little Princess

Forms a small shrub about half a meter high. Prized for its vibrant foliage and panicles of soft pink flowers. Blooms in midsummer. Well suited both for single planting and for decorating hedges, alpine slides, and flower beds.

Golden Princess

Spiraea japonica Golden Princess

Is shrubby and reaches a height of up to 80-100 cm and giving an almost meter wide range. It got its name for the golden color of the foliage, which appears closer to flowering. The flowers are large, dark pink, well shaded by leaves.

Shirobana

Spiraea japonica Shirobana

It is a summer bloomer. Tall shrub reaching up to a meter. It differs from others in its narrow elongated dark green leaves. Flower shades range from white to almost red. It needs pruning, since the crown is formed very chaotically during the growth process. The variety is notable for the fact that it often produces inflorescences shaped like a heart.

Albiflora

Spiraea japonica Albiflora

Distinguished by white flowers. low shrub or shrub that blooms in late summer. It has a strongly growing crown and needs regular pruning and removal of faded flower stalks.

Goldflame

Spiraea japonica Goldflame

They love it for its rapid growth and powerful flowering. One of the most powerful varieties of Japanese spirea. Reaches a height of up to 1 meter. Over the course of the season, the foliage changes color from orange in the spring and bright yellow in the summer to copper in the fall. The flowers are bright pink, clearly visible against the contrasting foliage. The variety takes root very well in urban environments.

Landing

The most optimal time for planting spirea is autumn after leaf fall. Less commonly, spirea is planted in early spring, immediately after the snow melts before the first buds bloom. The plant is not demanding on soil, but is light-loving. Some varieties are more shade-loving, and the planting location is based on the characteristics of the variety itself.

Too long, unhealthy, damaged roots of the seedling are cut off. The branches are shortened by an average of a third, diseased and damaged branches are cut off at the root.

It is necessary to plant spirea in cloudy weather, ideally in rain.

If the roots are dry, immediately before planting, soak them in a bucket of water.

The planting pit should be twice the size of the root system and have strictly vertical walls. The bottom of the pit is laid with peat or turf, sheet soil. After planting, the soil is lightly pressed down and watered well. If the soil is clayey, add a drainage layer in the form of broken bricks to the bottom of the hole.

The pit for planting is prepared in 2-4 days.

Care and cultivation

Spiraea is loved for its unpretentiousness, resistance to frost and disease, and its proximity to other ornamental plants. However, almost all varieties have certain maintenance requirements. Due to the characteristics of the root system Spiraea does not tolerate drought well, needs regular weeding and loosening to improve oxygen access to the roots. Some varieties require regular crown formation to ensure a neat appearance of the bush.

Watering

The weak root system of spirea requires regular watering, especially during dry seasons. Spring varieties are more tolerant of lack of moisture, while summer ones, especially during flowering, absorb large amounts of water.

Spiraea should be watered sparingly

Excess moisture, as well as lack of it, is harmful to the plant. If there is an excess of moisture in the soil, the roots will begin to rot, which will inevitably lead to the death of the plant.

During drought, each bush is watered with 1.5 buckets of water once every two weeks. The plant needs good watering in the spring after planting and after pruning to restore vitality.

Top dressing

On fertile soil, spirea does not need additional feeding. It is allowed to feed the plant with peat or compost once a season in the fall or spring after the snow melts. Spiraea must be fed with mineral fertilizers immediately after planting..

In order for spirea to delight you with lush and long flowering, it is useful to pamper it with liquid fertilizers twice during the summer.

During growth on nutrient-poor soils, fertilizing is carried out in the spring before flowering, after flowering and after pruning, as well as in the fall. In mid-summer, the plant can be fed with a solution of mullein with the addition of superphosphate.

Trimming

Pruning is an important point in spirea care. Bushes tend to grow and become overgrown. Pruning is carried out to form the crown, to rejuvenate the shoots, and to improve the health of the bush as a whole.

The more you prune the plant, the more powerful and luxuriant the bush will grow.

Preventative pruning is carried out before buds begin to open.. Frozen tops are trimmed, dried and diseased trunks are trimmed. Bush rejuvenation is carried out when the plant begins to age and produce fewer flowers. The entire bush is completely cut off at the root in the fall. In the spring, young shoots will emerge from the roots.

It is permissible to rejuvenate the bush by cutting out only old and thick shoots, leaving thin young shoots.

Spring varieties are pruned immediately after flowering, summer varieties - in the spring of next year. During flowering, drying flower stalks are cut off so as not to waste the vitality of the plant.

Reproduction

The plant can be propagated by dividing and replanting the old bush, as well as using seeds, cuttings and layering.

Seeds

Seed shoots of Japanese spirea

Only non-hybrid species can be propagated by seeds, since the seeds do not retain the varietal qualities of the parent plant. Seeds are sown in spring in boxes with fertile soil, previously well moistened. Seedlings are planted in open ground after 3 months.

Cuttings

Propagation of Japanese spirea by cuttings

Cuttings can be carried out starting from the third decade of June. The shoot is cut into several equal parts, which are planted in a mixture of peat and river sand. Cuttings require high soil and air humidity– watering is carried out up to four times a day, spraying up to eight. In winter, the cuttings are covered, and in the spring they are planted in a new place.

Dividing the bush

Reproduction of Japanese spirea by dividing the bush

Dividing the bush is carried out only in young plants no older than three years. Old plants will not tolerate transplantation well and will not produce good shoots. Division is carried out in the fall after leaf fall or in the spring before the first buds bloom.. The bush is dug up and divided into several daughter plants. One daughter bush must have at least five mother trunks. Next, the daughter bushes are transplanted to a new location.

By layering

Reproduction scheme of Japanese spirea by layering

One of the most effective methods of propagation is propagation by layering - such seedlings have a fairly high survival rate. The vegetative branch is not cut from the main bush, but is pressed to the ground with staples and covered with soil or peat-soil mixture. The branches take root well, and the daughter seedlings can be transplanted to a new location without much difficulty.

Pests and diseases

In general, spirea is resistant to various pests and diseases. The most unpleasant and dangerous thing for spirea is the spider mite., whose eggs are quite resistant to most chemicals. Treatment against spider mites is carried out several times to completely destroy all possible eggs and individuals.

The plant is affected by spider mites

In summer, ants can drag aphids onto bushes, especially if the anthill is located close to the bushes. Aphids eat the inflorescences and suck out the juice, causing the plant to lose its attractiveness and become withered in appearance. Another similar pest is the roseate leaf roller.

Japanese spirea in landscape design

Due to its high decorativeness, unpretentiousness and frost resistance, it is used in many garden plots. In spirea, both flowers and leaves are decorative, since many varieties change their color depending on the season. We can safely say that this type of shrub is one of the most popular among landscape designers. Used in the design of hedges, alpine slides, for the design of artificial ponds, in flower beds. Looks good as a single shrub. It successfully tolerates proximity to most other ornamental plants.

Using Japanese spirea in garden design

Spiraea does not cause problems in care, is unpretentious, and resistant to cold. It grows quickly and provides a large area of ​​coverage. Even a novice gardener can handle pruning and fertilizing, and in return the plant will delight the eye with its bright leaves and fragrant flowers from the first warm days until the leaves fall.

The genus Spiraea includes 90 species, distributed in the forest-steppe and semi-desert zones, the subalpine zone of the mountains of the Northern Hemisphere.

Description of spirea

Spiraea - deciduous shrubs, sometimes exceeding 2 m in height. The shape of the bush is different, there are: weeping, pyramidal, erect, hemispherical, cascading, creeping forms. Types of spirea differ among themselves in the shape and color of the leaves; many types of spirea change their green color to yellow, orange or purple-red in the fall.

Most of the most diverse species, with skillful selection, allow them to achieve continuous flowering from spring to autumn. Spiraea is valued for its lush and long-lasting flowering.

Spiraea flowers small, but numerous, collected in inflorescences of different shapes: corymbose, pyramidal, paniculate and spicate. Some species of spirea have single flowers.

The color of the flowers is also varied - from white to crimson. The decorative nature of spirea is determined not only by the varied arrangement of inflorescences on the shoots, but also by the timing of flowering.

There are species whose inflorescences cover the entire shoot; in other types of spirea, the inflorescences are located only on the upper part of the shoots; in some others - at the ends of the shoots.

Spiraea are divided into 2 groups: spring-flowering spirea and summer-flowering. In spring bloomers, flowering usually occurs on the shoots of the previous year and the flowers are white; Summer-flowering ones have red, pink, crimson flowers, and they bloom on the shoots of the current year.

This division into two groups is also reflected in the agricultural technology for caring for these shrubs; Spring-blooming spireas are pruned immediately after flowering, and summer-blooming spireas - only in spring.

Spiraea of ​​the first group all bloom together, but not for long; in the second group the flowering is extended.

All spirea are undemanding to soil, frost-resistant, light-loving, many species are gas-resistant, and tolerate urban conditions well. Easily propagated by cuttings, layering, dividing the bush, seeds and shoots. They grow very quickly and begin to bloom in the 3rd year.

Types and varieties of spirea

Group of spring flowering spireas

Spiraea gray

Gray spirea is a highly branched bush 2 m high, with felt ribbed shoots. The leaves of the gray spirea are gray-green above, lighter below, and pointed at both ends. The snow-white flowers of gray spirea are collected in loose shields and are located throughout the shoot. At the top of the shoots the inflorescences are sessile, below they are on elongating leafy branches. This spirea blooms in May, and the fruits ripen in June.

Gray spirea does not reproduce by seeds, because this species is a hybrid. The gray spirea bush is very decorative due to the compactness of the bush, drooping branches, and a large number of snow-white inflorescences. This spirea is planted either as a single bush or in groups. Flowering shoots of spirea sulfur can be used to make bouquets.

Very interesting variety "Grefsheim"- a small densely branched shrub with arched drooping branches and narrow leaves. Snow-white, fairly large double flowers, collected in dense bunches, are located along the shoots.

Spiraea gray is considered winter-hardy.

Spiraea arguta

A tall bush (2 m) with a spreading crown, with narrow, strongly jagged, lanceolate, dark green leaves about 4 cm long. The flowers of Spiraea arguta are pure white, 0.8 cm in diameter, in numerous, umbrella-shaped inflorescences, densely covering the shoots. Spiraea arguta blooms on last year's shoots; it should be pruned immediately after flowering. It grows slowly, 20 cm per year.

It is one of the most spectacular spring-flowering spireas. Thanks to the abundance of flowers and the grace of arching thin branches, it makes an indelible impression both up close and at a distance. Stable in city conditions.

Thin spreading branches of Argut spirea with small narrow green leaves and white flowers in umbrella inflorescences that tightly cover the shoots create a feeling of purity.

Spiraea arguta is beautiful in a single planting, in compositions with shrubs, and can also be used for hedges. Blooms annually. Photophilous. This spirea can tolerate slightly dry soil. The seeds are not germinating because it is a hybrid.

Spiraea Wangutta

Spiraea Vangutta is stunning with its large size. The height and diameter of its crown reach up to 2 m. It differs from representatives of this genus in its spreading, curving branches, forming a very beautiful “cascade” shape of the crown. Its leaves are 3.5 cm long, toothed, 5-lobed, obovate, green above, dull-gray below, glabrous.

Spiraea Wangutta flowers in dense, multiple, hemispherical inflorescences, pure white, densely covering the entire shoot. Flowering lasts several weeks. Spiraea Wangutta sometimes has a secondary flowering in August, however, it is no longer so abundant. Spiraea Vangutta is also beautiful for its foliage. Its fruits ripen by October. Blossoming begins at 3 years of age.

Spiraea Wangutta grows quickly, is shade-tolerant, and unpretentious. But it prefers sunny places and well-drained soils. Frost-resistant, sometimes the ends of the shoots freeze, which need to be cut off in the spring.

Spiraea Vangutta is effective in single plantings, in groups, low hedges, and when creating large flower beds. It fits perfectly into the landscape with pines, spruces, fir trees, especially on the banks of ponds and streams. It takes cuttings well.

Spiraea crenate

It grows in the southeast of Russia and Western Europe, the Caucasus, Altai, and northern Central Asia. It grows in the zone of meadow and shrub steppes, and is observed on rocky mountain slopes in thickets of bushes. Protected in nature reserves.

Spiraea crenate is a low shrub, about 1 m, with a loose crown, oblong or obovate, 3.5 cm in length, grayish-green leaves. It is very easy to identify crenate spirea by the crenate edge of the leaf and the presence of three veins protruding from the bottom.

The flowers of this spirea are white with a yellow tint, collected in wide corymbose inflorescences, sitting on short, leafy branches. Flowering duration is about 20 days. Spiraea crenate bears fruit in July.

It is drought- and frost-resistant, produces abundant root growth, can tolerate insufficient soil moisture, grows in partial shade, but develops better in good light.

In gardening, Crenate spirea is not often found. Used in parks, groups, edges and forest parks. Has hybrid forms.

Spiraea oakleaf

Spiraea oakleaf grows from Eastern Europe to the Far East. Grows on rocky slopes and mountain forests.

An erect bush 2 m tall, with long shoots, under the weight of their inflorescences they gracefully bend towards the ground, with a beautiful, dense crown, rounded in shape.

The leaves are finely petiolate, oblong-ovate, 5 cm long, pointed, coarsely toothed twice along the edge, green above, bluish below. White flowers 1.5 cm in diameter in hemispherical inflorescences; Spiraea oakleaf blooms in early May for about 25 days.

Gas and frost resistant. Tolerates slight shade. In autumn, the foliage turns an even, yellow color. Spiraea oakleaf propagates by seeds, cuttings, and dividing the bush.

Excellent for cutting, it is used for hedges. This spirea is prized for its lush blooms and graceful foliage.

Spiraea nipponensis

This spirea comes from Japan, where it grows on the island of Hondo.

Shrub 2 m tall, with a spherical crown, branches directed horizontally; on top there are crenate, sometimes entire outermost, green leaves 5 cm long, retaining their green color until late autumn.

It begins to bloom in early June, lasting 15-25 days. The buds of Spiraea nipponensis are purple, the flowers are yellowish-green, in corymbose inflorescences, very densely covering the shoots.

It is characterized by abundant flowering and a compact crown structure. Effective in single plantings. Photophilous. It is not demanding on soil richness. Nippon spirea propagates by seeds, cuttings, and also by dividing the bush.

It has 2 decorative forms: round-leaved - in addition to the shape of the foliage, it is distinguished by the powerful size of the bush and large inflorescences; angustifolia - with narrow leaves and small, numerous flowers. In the European part, 2 varieties are popular.

Nipponian spirea "Halward's Silver" - a bush whose height is 1 m, dark green foliage. The flowers of Nipponian spirea "Halward's Silver" are white in large convex inflorescences, bloom in June.

Spiraea Nippon "Snowmound" is a bush 2 m high. The crown is dense, the branches are gracefully curved. The leaves of Spiraea Nippon "Snowound" are dark green and elongated. The flowers are snow-white, collected in corymbose inflorescences, open in June.

Spiraea average

It grows naturally in Russia, southern Siberia, Central Asia and the Far East. Grows in thickets of bushes, on dry slopes.

Medium spirea is a branched shrub with a rounded crown and bright green leaves. The shoots of middle spirea are round, brownish with flaky bark. The flowers are snow-white, in corymbose inflorescences. It begins to bloom in May for about 15 days. It begins to bear fruit at the age of 3.

Frost-resistant, tolerates shade. Spiraea average propagates easily thanks to its abundant root shoots. It tolerates replanting and pruning well, and is used in single and group plantings.

Spiraea thunberg

Under natural conditions it grows in China, Korea, and Japan. Its favorite places are mountain slopes and valleys, which during the flowering period look covered with a continuous snow cover.

Spiraea Thunberg is a low bush, in nature reaching a height of 1.5 m. In cultivation in the middle zone it does not reach such dimensions, but it branches densely. Its dense leaves are 4 cm long.

Thanks to these graceful leaves, Thunberga spirea is very decorative, especially considering that in autumn they acquire an orange color.

In summer they are bright green. The inflorescences of Spiraea Thunberg are sessile umbrellas at the base with a rosette of small leaves; they consist of small white flowers that appear in May. Flowering ends in June.

The fruits of this spirea ripen quickly. Thunberg's spirea begins to bloom and bear fruit at the age of 3.

This shrub propagates by seeds and cuttings. In cold winters the shoots freeze a little. Spiraea Thunberga is a profusely flowering shrub that blooms first. Prefers sunny places.

Group of summer-blooming spireas

In summer-blooming spireas, the inflorescences are completed by young shoots of the current year. The following year, spirea inflorescences reappear at the ends of young shoots, and the old tops dry out.

Spiraea japonica

Distributed in Japan and China.

Japanese spirea is a beautiful bush with tomentose-pubescent shoots, then bare; oblong-ovate leaves, green above, bluish below, with a red tint when blooming, in the fall - a spectacular variety of colors. It blooms all summer with pink-red flowers collected in corymbose-paniculate inflorescences.

Flowering duration is 45 days. It is widely used to create flowering groups and hedges. as well as borders.

In the spring season, all varieties of Japanese spirea need to be pruned, leaving shoots 25 cm high from the soil level. Golden-leaved forms of Japanese spirea are predisposed to the appearance of shoots with green leaves.

They stand out against the background of yellow spireas not only by their color, but also by their powerful growth. All of them should be deleted.

Japanese spirea has many garden forms, differing in bush height, flower color and leaf blade size. The most common spirea:

Japanese « Little Princesses"("Little Princess") - bush 0.6 m tall, rounded, compact crown, dark green, elliptical leaves, pink flowers, collected in corymbose inflorescences.

Japanese spirea "Little Princess" begins to bloom in June-July. It grows very slowly. Looks good in single plantings, edges, groups, hedges.

Spiraea japonica "Shirobana"- is a low shrub 0.8 m tall. The leaves are dark green, narrow-lanceolate, 2 cm long. The color of the flowers of the Japanese spirea "Shirobana" varies from white to bright pink, sometimes red.

Blooms in July - August. Japanese spirea "Shirobana" can successfully decorate a rock garden and low border, various compositions with conifers and other shrubs.

« Macrophylla» ( "Macrophylla") - 1.3 m high. It is distinguished by large, 20 cm long and 10 cm wide, swollen wrinkled leaves, when they bloom they are purple-red, then green, and in the fall they become golden-yellow.

If, when the buds open, you cut the Macrophyll spirea to 7 cm from the soil level, then the growing young shoots at the top will have a bright color all summer long. Spiraea "Macrophylla" is one of the best spireas. Among the variegated foliage, its pink flowers in small inflorescences are lost. Spiraea "Macrophylla" blooms from the end of July to the end of August.

Spiraea "Candlelight"- a dwarf compact dense bush with creamy yellow leaves. Their color becomes rich and goes well with the pink flowers that appear in midsummer.

Spiraea “Candlelight” does not produce shoots with the usual green leaf color.

Spiraea "Goldflame"- a dense shrub 1 m tall, with orange-yellow leaves. Then they turn bright yellow, then yellow-green.

Spiraea "Goldflame" has orange leaves in autumn. Sometimes variegated leaves appear on the bush. Spiraea 'Goldflame' flowers are small pink-red.

Spiraea "Golden Princess"- shrub 1 m in height, with yellow leaves and pink flowers.

Spiraea "Gold Mound"- dwarf, 0.25 m tall, bush with bright golden-yellow foliage and small inflorescences of pink flowers, appearing in mid-July.

Spiraea white

Under natural conditions, white spirea is common in North America. In Russia it is often found in the Asian and European parts.

A bush with ribbed, pubescent red-brown shoots and pointed serrated leaves at the ends, reaching 7 cm in length and 2 cm in width. White flowers are collected in pyramidal, loose, pubescent panicle inflorescences about 6-15 cm long with almost horizontally deviating branches, appearing at the ends of the current year's shoots.

White spirea blooms annually, from July to August. Its fruits ripen in October.

White spirea propagates by seeds and cuttings. Thanks to its beautiful inflorescences, late and long flowering, white spirea is used for planting in groups, single bushes, and in hedges. Quite a moisture-loving shrub.

Spiraea birch leaf

Under natural conditions, birch leaf spirea grows in the Far East, Siberia, Korea and Japan. It grows in mixed and coniferous forests, on rocky mountain slopes.

Birch leaf spirea got its name due to the similarity of its leaves with the leaves of our beloved birch. Indeed, the leaves of birch-leaf spirea are elliptical or broadly ovate with a wedge-shaped base, green.

Birch-leaved spirea is a low (60 cm) shrub with a dense spherical crown and ribbed, sometimes zigzag-curved shoots. In spring, leaves appear in mid-April and fall at the end of October.

In autumn, the leaves of birch-leaved spirea become bright yellow. Flowering occurs in June. Its inflorescences are dense, corymbose, sometimes convex panicles of a large number of white or slightly pinkish flowers. Blooms from 4 years old. Its fruits ripen only in October.

Spiraea birch leaf is shade-tolerant, but blooms more profusely in sunny places, on moist soils. It is completely winter-hardy and does not require shelter. Pruning of shoots should be done in early spring. Shorten the shoots to a well-developed bud. Birch-leaved spirea propagates by sowing unstratified seeds in spring.

Birch leaf spirea is planted mixed or pure with other types of spirea. It is suitable for creating edges of tall groups of trees and shrubs, and for rockeries.

Spiraea Billarda

Billard's spirea is a hybrid between the willow spirea and the Douglas spirea. This species is found from Arkhangelsk to Central Asia and the Caucasus in the south.

Spiraea Billarda grows as a shrub with spreading branches, 2 m in height. The broadly lanceolate leaves, 10 cm long from the base, are acutely or double-serrate, and are grayish-tomentose underneath.

The bright pink flowers of Billard's spirea are collected in dense pyramidal, narrow, paniculate inflorescences, sometimes highly branched, tomentose. Billard's spirea blooms at the end of July until frost. The fruits do not set.

Billard's spirea is frost-resistant. Easily propagated by cuttings. Shade-tolerant, but achieves best flowering in sunny places. Billard's spirea is used for hedges of medium height; it is also planted in groups and single bushes.

In order to get a more powerful bush, pruning the shoots is recommended in early spring. Early pruning of Billard's spirea stimulates the appearance of young shoots that bloom in the same year.

Spiraea Billard "Triumphans" ("Triumphans") is a tall bush, reaches 2.5 m. Spiraea Billard "Triumphans" has purple-pink spike-shaped inflorescences 20 cm in height crowned by its shoots with oblong-lanceolate leaves. Its young shoots are first green, then reddish-brown, pubescent, and the old ones are ribbed and bare.

The shoots of this spirea are short-lived and gradually dry out. It is better not to prune Billard's spirea until it is 4 years old. During this period, it gains strength and grows with the help of its root offspring. By the age of 6, the bush loses its shape, and pruning is simply necessary, it allows you to restore its decorative appearance.

Spiraea Boumalda

Spiraea Boumalda is a hybrid between Spiraea white-flowered and Spiraea japonica.

A low bush, 75 cm tall, with erect branches and a spherical crown. Spiraea Bumald's shoots are bare and slightly ribbed. Leaves are 8 cm long, glabrous, ovate-lanceolate, sharply biserrate. The color of the flowers of this spirea varies from soft pink to dark pink.

It blooms almost all summer, about 50 days. Spiraea Bumalda is a very beautiful hybrid with highly variable characteristics, sometimes even difficult to distinguish from Japanese spirea, as a rule, lower than it and with ribbed shoots.

At three years old, spirea Bumalda begins to bloom and bear fruit. The fruits ripen in October.

"Anthony Waterer"(“Anthony Waterer”) is a bush with narrow leaves and bright red flowers. Flowering, spirea Boumald "Antoni Waterer" lasts 100 days, coincides with the flowering of hydrangea paniculata, very spectacular groups are obtained when they are planted together.

"Darts Ed"- 0.5 m high. Spiraea "Darts Red" grows straight up. Its leaves are lanceolate, when blooming they are pinkish, then dark green, and in autumn they are red.

It begins to bloom in July and ends in September with ruby-red or crimson flowers, in corymbose inflorescences. Spiraea "Darts Red" is decorative from spring until autumn.

The following forms are also known:

"Froebel"(Froebelii) - a shrub with purple leaves in autumn and spring, carnation-pink flowers in large inflorescences about 12 cm in diameter, the flowering of the Froebel spirea lasts 50 days. The bright inflorescences look beautiful not only in the garden, but also in a bouquet.

It is distinguished by its large size and compact structure.

"Curly" ("Crispa") - low shrub, 0.5 m. The shoots are brown, striped, pubescent. The leaves are wine-red when blooming, then green, with a wavy-curling edge. The flowers of the spirea "Crispa" are purple in corymbose panicles.

It begins to bloom from the end of July until August. Spiraea "Crispa" is suitable for a romantic garden.

Spiraea douglas

Grows in North America.

This spirea is an upright growing shrub, with red-brown, straight, pubescent shoots. The leaves of Douglas spirea are oblong-lanceolate, gray-tomentose below, entire to the middle, unequally toothed at the top.

The flowers of this spirea are pink, in dense narrow pyramidal, paniculate, apical inflorescences. Duration of flowering of Douglas spirea is 45 days.

Blooms in July. Its fruits begin to ripen in September. Douglas spirea begins to bloom at the age of 3. It propagates by seeds and cuttings.

With its bright pink flowers and silvery foliage, Douglas spirea is particularly valuable for green building. Very effective in groups and along park roads.

Spiraea looseleaf

It grows naturally in Siberia, Europe, North America, Japan and China. It grows in thickets of bushes near lakes, along river floodplains, and in sedge swamps.

Spiraea willow - an upright shrub about 2 m tall, with reddish-yellow shoots; elongated-lanceolate, pointed leaves, sharp-serrate from the base, ciliated or bare along the edge, they are dark green above, lighter below.

White or pink flowers on short yellow-pubescent peduncles are collected in pyramidal or cylindrical panicles 20 cm long.

Spiraea willow is frost-resistant and develops better in fresh, moist soils. Propagated by seeds and cuttings. It begins to bloom at the age of 4.

Spiraea or meadowsweet is a type of deciduous ornamental shrub from the Rosaceae family. Translated from Greek, “speira” means “bend,” and the validity of this name is confirmed by the special flexibility of spirea branches. The main advantage of spirea is its unpretentiousness. Spiraea has more than 100 varieties of shrubs growing in semi-deserts, forest-steppe and steppe.

Japanese spirea: photos and types

Shrubs of the genus Spiraea can be either dwarf (20 cm) or quite tall (up to 2.5 m). The roots are fibrous and shallow. The branches are recumbent or spreading, erect or creeping, from bright burgundy to dark, the bark can peel off longitudinally. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, have 3-5 lobes, rounded or lanceolate. The flowers of the shrub are small, but numerous, and can form a wide variety of inflorescences - spicate, paniculate, corymbose, pyramidal.

The color of the buds varies, from pure white to pink. Different varieties of spirea have inflorescences located differently: some completely along the shoot, some only on top of the shoot or only at the end of the branches. Spiraea reproduce by seeds, dividing the bush, cuttings or layering.

The vangutta bush is used for group plantings and hedges. Dwarf species are excellent for organizing living “carpets”, rock gardens and rose gardens. Spiraea also looks beautiful as an independent plant.

Varieties and varieties of spirea

Some varieties and varieties of spirea are often used in cultivation, while others are used quite rarely. According to flowering time, all shrubs are divided into:

• Summer flowering;
• Spring-flowering.

Spring-blooming spirea

They are characterized by early flowering, and are also distinguished by the fact that they have flowers of various shades of pure white, blooming on last year's shoots. It begins to bloom only in the second year of the shoot’s life. These plants are characterized by dense tillering. The following varieties of spirea are popular in gardening.

Gray spirea

This is a hybrid of the whitish-gray and St. John's-leaved spirea - in fact, it is a white spirea, and it is called gray because of the color of the leaves. The plant reaches a size of about 190 cm, branches are drooping, lanceolate leaves are gray below, corymbose buds of white color are located along the entire length of the shoot. It begins to bloom from early May to early July. The most common types.

"Grefsheim"

The height and diameter of this variety is 1.6–2.1 m, red-brown branches, spreading crown, drooping branches, flowers up to 1.1 cm in size, double, pure white, collected in umbrellas. The bush is a honey plant, the flowering period is up to 50 days, it begins to bloom from the age of 2.

Spiraea Wangutta

Vangutta is a hybrid of three-lobed and Cantonese spirea - a large shrub up to 2.5 m high and with a diameter, drooping branches, three-lobed leaves, bare, jagged, bluish below, rich green above, turning orange-red in autumn. Multiple spherical buds of vangutta consist of pure white flowers in a circle up to 0.7 cm and are located along the entire perimeter of the branch. It begins to bloom in early July, and in rare cases it blooms again in September.

Spiraea nipponensis

Under natural conditions it grows on the island. Honshu, grows up to 2.1 m, the crown is dense and spherical, has horizontal branches, leaves up to 5 cm, blooms for up to one month from the end of May with corymbose flowers of green-yellow color up to 1.5 cm in size, and has purple flowers in bud.

Spiraea arguta

The earliest of the spring-blooming flowers. A spreading shrub measuring 1.6–2.1 m, has a rather attractive appearance, and also cascading flowering branches that consist of multiple white fragrant flowers located along all branches. This variety of spirea blooms for one month from the beginning of June.

Spiraea: varieties and photos of flowering shrubs

Summer-blooming spirea

These are varieties where the inflorescences are located at the end of young shoots and in which last year’s shoots dry out over time, first of all. represented by varieties of Japanese spirea. In most of its varieties, Japanese spirea is pink, but in rare cases it can be red-pink.

Japanese spirea

A beautiful plant with tomentose branches when young, and bare when they age. Up to 1.1–1.6 m in size, the leaves are ovate and oblong, bluish below, green above, purple, red, yellow in autumn. Japanese spirea blooms for up to 50 days with pink-red buds collected in corymbose inflorescences located at the ends of the shoots. The most common varieties.

Little princesses

The plant is only 0.7 m in size, the crown is 1.3 m in circumference, round, the leaves are rich green, oval in shape, the corymbose buds consist of pink-red flowers with a diameter of 4-5 cm, it begins to bloom at the end of June.

Golden princesses

One of the types of the variety described above is distinguished by the fact that it can grow up to 1.1 m and has yellow leaves.

Shirobana

A low-growing bush (0.7–0.9 m), but the crown size is 1.3 m, the leaves are small (3 cm), rich green, narrow-lanceolate. The buds are pink or white and begin flowering in early July.

Goldflame

The bush is 0.9 m high, the orange-yellow leaves become rich yellow over time, then green, and in the fall - bright orange. The buds are pink-red, small in size.

Crispa

A low openwork bush up to 0.5 m in size and slightly larger in width, multiple erect shoots, a spherical crown, flowers - flat umbrellas measuring 5.6 cm, consisting of small bright pink inflorescences with a lilac tint, begins flowering in June.

In addition to Japanese spirea, there are the following varieties of summer-flowering plants.

Boumalda

This is a hybrid of white-flowered and Japanese spirea - a low bush measuring 60–90 cm. The branches are erect. The leaves are green in summer and yellow, purple, and red in autumn. Flowering lasts approximately 2 months. The most cultivated variety of spirea Bumalda Goldflame. This plant is 0.7 cm in size, the leaves are initially silvery-orange, then become bright gold, then rich green, and in autumn - bright red. But such changes occur when the plant is located in the sun.

Willow spirea

A bush 2 m high with upright branches of a brown-red-yellow hue, the leaves have a pointed shape, up to 15 cm in size, pink or white buds are collected in pyramidal inflorescences approximately 25 cm in size.

Spiraea douglas

A shrub measuring 1.5 m with pubescent and straight brown-red branches. The leaves are 4–9 cm in size, deep pink, oblong buds are collected in pyramidal, apical inflorescences; flowering lasts 1.5 months, starting in June.

Billard

This is a hybrid of willow leaf and Douglas spirea - plant size up to 2.1 m, lanceolate leaves up to 12 cm long, deep pink flowers, collected in narrow pyramidal inflorescences. Flowering begins in early July.

Features of cultivation

Any plant has certain requirements for both cultivation and care. Spiraea also has some features:

• Spiraea prefers turf or leaf soil. The best composition: one part peat and sand and 2 parts earth;
• A drainage layer is definitely required;
• Spirea is planted in a hole that is 1/3 larger than the butt of the bush;
• Planting depth is not less than 1.5 m, while the root collar of the shrub must be at surface level;
• It is necessary to plant spirea in cloudy weather, ideally in rain. The best time is the end of August;
• Desirable neighbors - spruce, juniper.

Planting in spring

In spring, only summer spireas are planted. The main condition for planting in the spring is to have time before the leaves begin to bloom. When you purchase plant seedlings, carefully examine the root system - it should not be very dry. Look at the condition of the seedling's shoots, and purchase only if they have good buds and are flexible. Bring planting raw materials into compliance:

• When the roots are damaged or very dry, cut off the branches;
• When the roots of the seedling have grown very large, shorten them.

If the roots are dry during storage, then water them, and only then plant them.

Red spirea is an unpretentious flower to care for, but for abundant and long-lasting flowering, certain conditions must still be met: the soil must be fertile, and the area must be illuminated by the sun. In addition, spirea bushes create abundant root shoots, which increases the area occupied by the flower, and this must be taken into account when planting spirea.

In the place where the bush will be planted, it is necessary to dig a hole with clearly vertical walls, at least 1/3 larger than the size of the roots of the seedling. Then you need to let the pit stand for 3-5 days. On the day of planting (it is best if the weather is rainy), you need to make a 16–22 cm layer of drainage from broken bricks, add turf or leaf soil, as well as sand and peat, to the hole, mix it all, lower the roots of the plant into the hole, throw earth and then compact it. Immediately after planting, the bush is watered with 1-2 buckets of water.

Planting in autumn

In autumn, both late-flowering and spring-flowering plants are planted. As a rule, autumn planting is combined with planting by dividing the bush. This must be done before the leaves fall. Plants that are about 4 years old are replanted and divided; older bushes can also be replanted, but this is more difficult to do due to the large lump of earth, which is difficult to wash off.

The bush must be dug up, covering a diameter of slightly more than half the projection of the crown. Most likely, you will need to chop off a couple of roots, but this will not cause much harm to the bush. After the roots of the extracted plant are washed thoroughly. If the bush is young and has not grown much, simply place it in a bucket of water and let the soil soften and settle in the container, then wash the roots under running water, straightening them as you do so. Cut the plant into 2-3 parts with pruning shears so that each has a root lobe and several strong shoots.

Make a hole, place a mound in the center, place the seedling on it and level the roots. Fill the hole with soil. Water the bush with water in several passes.

Plant care

We have already mentioned the basic requirements:

• good drainage;
• fertile and loose soil;
• bright lighting;
• mulching with peat immediately after planting.

What else is needed for a plant to please you with long and beautiful flowering?

Since spirea has shallow roots, it does not tolerate dry soil well and dries out, so it requires moderate watering during the dry season: 16 l each water per plant twice a month. Loosening the soil is necessary, as is periodic weeding. The plant is fed with mineral supplements after pruning the bush, and in July it is advisable to fertilize the bush with a solution of mullein.

Among the pests of spirea, spider mites and aphids are usually annoying. Mites can be destroyed with karbofos, and aphids with pirimor. But most often, spirea are not susceptible to disease, and pests do not cause much harm.

Trimming

Spiraea grows a lot, so it needs to be pruned periodically. In early flowering plants, since flowering occurs along the entire length of the shoot, only the tips that have frozen over the winter are trimmed each year, but after 10 years, all old shoots are removed from the plant Thus, the bush is cut off almost to the stump, so that a new bush can then be formed from the 4–7 healthy young shoots, cutting off other shoots during the growing season. After a few years, old or weak shoots are removed from the plant again. At the ends of the shoots, pruning should be done in the spring, before the leaves bloom.

Summer-flowering plants are pruned every year in May. It is necessary to trim the shoot to large buds; it is advisable to remove small and weak shoots altogether. The stronger the pruning, the more powerful the shoots will be. It is necessary to periodically remove aging shoots, otherwise they will dry out on their own. When the plant is 4 years old, you can cut the spirea every year to a height of 35 cm from the surface of the earth, but if even then the bushes have weak growth, you need to think about replacing the flower, although, in general, late-flowering varieties live 16–21 years.

From the photo of spirea in landscape design one can judge the high decorativeness and versatility of this flower in different seasons of the year. In spring, the bushes are early covered with beautiful variegated or green leaves, after which abundant and prolonged flowering occurs, even after which the spirea does not lose its attractiveness.

Spiraea is a deciduous ornamental shrub of the Rosaceae family. The habitat of this plant covers all of Europe and part of the northern countries, which includes Russia. Currently, more than 90 species of this plant are registered. In our country, 13 of them are the most popular, and some types of spirea with varieties, photos and names can be found in many catalogs. Any summer resident living in the Moscow region or Siberia will always be able to choose an interesting option for planting on the site.

Japanese spirea Shirobana

From ancient Greek, the name of the plant is translated as “bend”, as the drooping, flexible branches of the bush descend to the ground in beautiful arcs. In spring and summer, they are densely covered with fragrant honey inflorescences. Some specimens are capable of producing buds at the beginning and end of the growing season, while others bloom continuously for a long period.

The shape and color of the leaves depend on the specific variety. There are specimens with carved and smooth edges, often of an elongated shape. Small flowers up to 5 mm in diameter are collected in umbellate or paniculate inflorescences of 8-20 pieces. With the help of modern selection, it was possible to develop specimens with single buds. The color of the petals depends on the variety. There are white, pink, lilac, scarlet buds.

Spiraea are common in landscape design and gardening compositions. They attract the attention of gardeners with their relative unpretentiousness and elegant exterior. These are compact bushes, rarely exceeding 2 m in height, and do not require frequent pruning. With the right location, timely feeding and proper care, seedlings give an annual growth of up to 20-30 cm.

Despite the fact that the plant belongs to the Rosaceae family, there are no thorns on its shoots. Young trunks have a greenish color, which turns brown over time.

The root system of spirea is fibrous and located close to the soil surface. Because of this, the rhizomes become bare when watered and require regular mulching with shavings, peat, horse manure, garden soil or small dried grass. For the same reason, the plant needs annual fertilizing with nitrogen and potassium fertilizers.

Spiraea fruits are not edible, so adding superphosphates to the soil for their ripening is not required. For the full development of the crown and bush, phosphorus in complex fertilizers for deciduous crops is sufficient.

The shrub is valued for its resistance to frequent droughts and low temperatures. The average frost resistance of spirea is from -25 to -30 °C. However, there are also specimens that can withstand temperatures down to -45 °C without additional insulation. Lilac bushes can easily compete with them in frost resistance. The two-color variety mentioned earlier is especially interesting for planting; it can withstand frosts down to -28 °C.

Review of species and varieties with a selection of photos

Conventionally, all species can be divided into summer-flowering spirea and those that form buds in the spring. The early flowering category includes the following common species:

• the unique Van Gutta spirea;
• oakleaf;
• Nipponese;
• Spiraea Thunberg.

Spring-flowering plants lay buds on the branches of the previous year, so their flowering begins no earlier than the 2nd year of life.

Vanhouttei (Spiraea Vanhouttei) is a hybrid of Cantonese and three-lobed spirea. It is distinguished by its large size (up to 2 m in height and up to 1.5 m in width). It grows relatively quickly and tolerates shade without compromising its decorative properties. The flowering period lasts from May to June; buds may re-form in late summer. The inflorescences are predominantly painted in white or cream shades.

For the curious: the reasons for this behavior, how to achieve success in growing?

Popular varieties of this species are:

• Pink Ice (“Captain”) has decorative foliage with pink and white splashes.
• Renaissance is a large shrub with high resistance to insect pests and diseases.
• Snow White is a bush showered with large white inflorescences. Withering, the buds fall to the ground, and the plant does not need additional cosmetic trimming.

Oakleaf is a species that has complex paniculate inflorescences, often white in color. Flowering occurs at the end of May and lasts about 2 weeks. The maximum height of an adult plant does not exceed 1.5 m. Frost-resistant and suitable for growing in Siberian conditions. With the onset of frost, the foliage acquires a uniform yellow color. The life expectancy of the bush is 25-30 years. When an adult plant is transplanted to a new location, its root system is able to rejuvenate.

Nipponskaya is a dwarf species up to 1 m in height. It has hemispherical inflorescences consisting of 8-14 simple flowers, often white in color. The flowering period occurs in mid-May, and its duration is 20-25 days. Its homeland is the Japanese Islands. Popular varieties are Halvard Silver and Snow Mound. It is worth noting that Snow Mound is a hybrid, as a result of which its growth exceeds the species dimensions and is 2 m.

Thunberg's spirea are shrubs up to 1.5 m. The flowering period begins in the first ten days of May and lasts 30 days. White flowers are collected in umbellate inflorescences. They are frost-resistant and do not require large amounts of nutrients. Due to rapid regeneration, shoots that froze during the winter are replaced by new shoots during the growing season.

Spiraea thunberg

Group of spireas blooming in summer

Types of summer flowering differ in that the buds appear at the ends of the shoots of the new season. These include:

• willow;
• white-flowered;
• Japanese;

Willow-leaved - spirea, the foliage of which resembles willow. Fragrant from the beginning to the end of June with pink paniculate inflorescences. With the first frosts, the green crown acquires a noble scarlet hue. The maximum height for this type is 2.5 m.

White-flowered - a dwarf species from 1 to 1.5 m. It blooms in mid-July, and the flowers remain on the bush for about 20-25 days. It is the only species inhibited in Russia whose buds are fluffy and white in color. The most original variety of this group is Macrophila. Its large foliage is painted in scarlet shades in spring, turns green in summer, and turns yellow by autumn.

Japanese is the smallest option for the garden. Its height does not exceed 50 cm. The crown has a spherical shape. It has a long flowering period from mid-July to the end of summer. Umbrella inflorescences are painted in pink or lilac shades. Widely used to create flowering groups and low hedges. If you choose Gold Princess and Gold Flame for planting, they will delight you with golden foliage. Some of the most popular are the Golden Flame and Shirobana.

The Douglas group is distinguished by erect shrubs that grow up to 1.5 m. In mid-July, dark pink flowers appear on the branches, collected in graceful pyramids. They decorate the crown for 45 days. All varieties are excellent for urban landscaping.

Representative from the Douglas group

Representatives of the Boumalda and Billard groups, blooming until the first frost, can be classified as summer. The listed species are suitable for cultivation in most climatic zones. Among the great variety of spireas, there are also territorially oriented representatives. In this regard, it is important to select seedlings not only for their decorative properties, but also taking into account their suitability for certain climatic conditions.

Spiraea near Moscow

The Moscow region has a mild climate with short winters, early spring, warm summers and long autumns. The soils of this region are podzolic, slightly acidic, depleted and require the addition of nutrients. The optimal varieties for the Moscow region are Japanese due to their similar climate and soil.

Best options for planting:

The Moscow Region varieties also include the aforementioned Makrofil, Silver and Snow Mound.

Siberian spirea

The northern lands are heavy and fertile with deep groundwater. The main disadvantage of these regions is the harsh and long winter. Because of this, gardeners are forced to select seedlings for open ground with special care. Medium, gray, three-lobed spirea are considered resistant to harsh winters. Their flower buds can only be damaged at temperatures of -50 °C. If you provide shelter for Japanese, white-flowered and densely flowered seedlings, they will also overwinter successfully.

The following varieties are suitable for Siberia:

• Anthony Waterer is a dwarf specimen that grows up to 75 cm. The duration of summer flowering is 50 days. It has long (up to 8 cm) leaves and large umbrella-shaped inflorescences of raspberry color. Seedlings raised from seed produce white flowers, as Anthony Waterer is a hybrid of white-flowered species.
• Ogon is a medium-sized shrub with white umbels of summer flowering type. The fragrance period lasts about a month. The bush is especially beautiful in the autumn, when the small foliage turns golden.

Frost-resistant varieties include Renaissance and Snow White. Actual indicators may differ from the description, since the timing and duration of flowering are affected by soil composition and climate.

Video with an overview of varieties.

Low growing varieties

Dwarf varieties of spirea are a fashionable trend in recent years. They are actively used to create mixborders, plant fences and partitions, and alpine slides. Dwarf varieties include varieties from the Nippon and Japanese species. In addition to them, breeders highlight the following species in a separate list:

• “Dwarf” – hybrids of Hackett and creeping species. They are extremely rare in Russia due to low winter hardiness. The maximum height is 80 cm. The branches are of a creeping type, the flowers are often white, collected in neat inflorescences, peeking out among the small foliage.
• Bumalda - species up to 75 cm in height. All varieties have a spherical shape with erect shoots. In most cases, the color of the buds is crimson, although their shape can vary significantly.
• Low - a frost-resistant marsh species that grows up to 60 cm. It is similar to herbs, but has a pronounced stem and a fibrous root system. It blooms with dense spherical umbrellas of white and pink colors from July to August. It grows wild in the Siberian taiga and Khabarovsk region.

The best are dwarf and Japanese spirea, since they are the least demanding to care for and do not require frequent shaping.