Family: Rosaceae
Common Name: Bridal Wreath, May Bush

Native to Europe, Asia, North America and Mexico, this genus comprises over 80 species of deciduous shrubs, grown for their lovely floral display and autumn foliage colour. Some flower early in spring, while others bloom in summer, the flower clusters generally being pink or white. Many hybrids are available, some of which make good ornamentals. If allowed to develop naturally without pruning, these shrubs grow into attractive, bushy plants with drooping or arching branches. Spiraeas are easy care garden shrubs and a fairly wide range of species, plus some excellent culivars and hybrids, is available in the UK.

Species

S. cantoniensis, zone 6, from China, has a graceful, spreading habit, growing I-5 m (3-16 ft) high. It produces dense clusters of small, white flowers along its branches and is very showy when in bloom in early summer. The narrow, dark green leaves are blue-green on the undersides. Cultivar 'Fiore Pleno' is a double-flowered form.

S. japonica, zone 5, from China and Japan, is one of the most popular species, a 2 m (6 ft) high shrub with pink or white, summer flowers. However, it is mainly the cultivars that are grown, such as 'Anthony Waterer', with deep pink blooms, 1.5 m (5 ft) high; 'Bumalda', also with deep pink flowers, 1 m (3 ft) high; and the popular 'Goldflame', with reddish young foliage which changes to yellow and then green, and deep pink flowers, 80 cm (32 in) high.

S. nipponica 'Snowmound', zone 4, is a popular, arching shrub to 1.2 m (4 ft), smothered with pure white flowers in midsummer.

S. prunifolia, bridal wreath, zone 4, from China, is very popular in Japan. It is an upright-growing shrub, 1-2 m (3-6 ft) high, with double, white flowers. The leaves colour orange in autumn.

S. thunbergii, zone 4, from China, with clusters of small, white flowers borne on slender, arching branches and lance-shaped, finely toothed, light green leaves which colour pink and orange in cooler areas. It grows to 1.5 m (5 ft) high.

S. x vanhouttei (S. cantoniensis x S. trilobata), zone 4, grows to 2 m (6 ft) high and bears clusters of small, white flowers.

Cultivation

These easy-care shrubs like a reasonably rich soil with plenty of sun and water. The addition of compost or manure in spring will improve plant growth. Care should be taken to avoid spoiling the natural arching or pendulous form of these shrubs, but they can be pruned to thin out old growth and to shorten over-long canes. Propagate from seed, suckers or cuttings of young shoots struck in sandy soil in a frame, or by layering.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.