Spiraea japonica

Rosaceae
Deciduous, Shrubs

SPIRAEA

There are two distinct kinds of spireas: the bridal wreath type, with clusters of white flowers cascading down arching branches in spring or early summer; and the shrubby type, with pink, red, or white flowers clustered at branch ends in summer to fall. Blossoms on both types are usually single.

Spiraea japonica

Native to Japan, China. Upright, shrubby spirea to 4–6 ft. tall and wide, with flat, 8-in.-wide clusters of pink flowers carried above oval, sharply toothed green leaves. Best known through its selections, which are typically lower than the species and bloom between summer and fall.

'Alpina'

To 2 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide. Pink flowers. Good red fall foliage in some years.

'Anthony Waterer'

To 3–5 ft. tall and wide. Carmine pink blossoms. Leaves are reddish purple when new, maturing to bright green.

'Bumalda'

To 3 ft. high and wide. Dark pink flowers; bronze tinted new growth.

'Dolchica'

To 3 ft. high, 4 ft. wide. Purplish pink flowers.

'Goldflame'

To 2 1/2 ft.high and wide with pink flowersand bronze new growth thatmatures to yellowish green thenturns dark reddish orange infall.

'Goldmound'

To 3 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide. Leaves emerge golden, mature to pronounced yellow green; hold color well in sun. Pink flowers.

'Limemound'

To 3 ft. tall, 6 ft. wide. Lemon yellow new leaves mature to lime green, then turn orange red in fall. Light pink flowers.

'Little Princess'

To 3 ft. tall, 6 ft. wide. Rose pink blossoms.

'Magic Carpet'

To 1/2 –2 1/2 ft. tall, slightly wider. Reddish bronze new leaves turn chartreuse to yellow as they mature. Pink flowers.

'Neon Flash'

To 3–4 ft. tall, 4–5 ft. wide. Purple-tinted foliage; bright rosy pink flowers.

'Shirobana'

To 2–3 ft. high and wide. Red buds open to bicolored blossoms in white and deep pink.