Spiraea: Japanese, loosestrife, billarda and other species. Planting and caring for spirea Spiraea gray Grefsheim

Spiraea is a perennial deciduous shrub of the rose family. Translated from ancient Greek, the name Spiraea means “bend”, this is due to the graceful flexibility of the branches of the bush. Recently, it has become popular among gardeners, as it has many advantages, including frost resistance, unpretentiousness, long flowering, high decorative qualities, it can become a real decoration of any garden. There are more than 90 different species of spirea, one of them is the variety of willow spirea, which not only has high decorative properties, but also has healing properties.

Varieties of spirea and their classification

Spiraea are generally classified according to flowering time into spring-flowering and summer-flowering.
Spring-flowering species have umbrella-shaped inflorescences that cover last year's shoots of shrubs in the spring. The most famous varieties can be considered:

• The oak-leaved bush has a two-meter height, which, when flowering, is completely covered with snow-white inflorescences; this species is the earliest to flower;

• Arguta has drooping branches and has a very long flowering period from the second half of May;

• Gray (ash) differs from the previous type in the gray-green color of the leaves;
• Nipponskaya has a low, spherical bush; during flowering, which occurs in late spring, it is covered with inflorescences along the plant;

• Van Gutta is a tall bush up to 2.5 meters in height, tends to bloom a second time at the end of June; during flowering, the entire bush is covered with white inflorescences up to seven centimeters in diameter.

Summer-flowering species of spirea bloom from mid-summer with pyramidal and corymbose inflorescences, which bloom on the tops of new shoots. The following varieties are popular among them:

• Japanese - a slow-growing, small shrub up to 1.5 meters high, which blooms with pink or crimson corymbose-shaped inflorescences;
• Belotsvetkovaya has a bush height of about 60 cm, blooms with white flowers;
• Bumalda is a hybrid variety of Japanese and white-flowered, about a meter high;
• Billarda is a shrub that grows up to 2.5 meters, has a very long flowering period, during which crimson-colored ears bloom;
• Douglas is a long-flowering shrub that blooms with lilac-pink flowers collected in panicles;
• Willow is a fairly tall shrub, with pointed leaves similar to willow leaves.

Features of willow spirea

Spiraea loosestrife got its name because of the shape of its leaves, which are similar to willow leaves, pointed, up to 10 cm long. The leaves are dark green on top, lighter underneath. The willow spirea bush grows straight, reaching a height of up to 2 meters. It has smooth shoots of a reddish-yellow color. The shrub blooms profusely after 4 years, has inflorescences of an original paniculate shape with flowers of pink or white color, its fluffy panicles are 20 cm long. In the shape of the inflorescences and in the duration of flowering, the varieties of Douglas spirea and loosestrife are very similar. It grows quickly as it produces a lot of root shoots.

It grows wild in Siberia, Europe, as well as in northern America and eastern countries. It grows well near various bodies of water, on flooded river banks, near lakes, and in swampy areas.

Among the decorative species, the most attractive and popular is the large-flowered one.

Landing

The shrub is planted in the spring before buds appear on the shoots. Willow spirea is an unpretentious plant, but still some features should be taken into account:

• The planting location should be sunny;
• It is better to plant on a cloudy or rainy day;
• When digging holes, you need to take into account that the roots fit freely; for this, the holes must be 25-30% larger than the roots;
• If the land for planting is clayey, then it is necessary to make drainage from small crushed stone or broken bricks and sand;
• After planting, the plant must be watered with 2 buckets of water and mulched with peat;
• After spring planting, spirea needs to be watered regularly;
• When planting in the fall, after the leaves have fallen, young bushes must be covered with leaves for the winter.

Reproduction

Excellent, reproduces with 100% success:

• Cuttings;
• Seeds.

Propagation by cuttings is carried out from mid-summer, but most often in September or October. For cuttings, choose annual shoots that grow vertically. Cut the shoots into cuttings so that each cutting has 4-5 leaves. The lower leaves along with the petioles are completely cut off, and the remaining leaves are cut in half. The resulting cuttings are soaked for 10-12 hours in Epin solution, which is prepared in a proportion of 1 ml per 2 liters of water. Next, the lower part of the cutting is immersed in powder that stimulates root formation and planted in damp sand at an angle of approximately 30-45°.

After planting the cuttings:

• Cover with a glass cap or film;
• Be sure to spray once every 2-3 days;
• Place the cuttings in a shady place, under tree branches.
• At the first frost, the container with the cuttings is buried in the garden bed, throwing leaves on top.
• In the spring, when new shoots of young plants appear above the ground, they are planted in beds.

When propagated by seeds, spirea can be sown in both spring and autumn, but the seeds do not need to be prepared before planting. It is better to collect seeds at the end of summer, when the seed boxes have not yet opened and have acquired a brownish tint. After 2 weeks, the cut boxes will ripen and you can collect the seeds that have spilled out of them, which are ready for planting. First, the seeds are planted in boxes with specially selected soil, and after 3 months, when sprouts appear, they are planted in open ground.

Care for willow spirea

Caring for this unpretentious shrub is not difficult, just like caring for. It is enough to water the willow spirea moderately; only during periods of drought does it need abundant watering. In the spring, before flowering begins, the soil under the bush should be fertilized, and in mid-summer the bush itself should be fed. The best fertilizer for it would be:

• Manure;
• Superphosphate.

The fertilizer is prepared according to the following scheme: 1 bucket of slurry is mixed in 5-6 buckets of water, 5-10 g of superphosphate is added to 1 bucket of the resulting solution.

To form a crown, the branches of the bush should be trimmed. After a haircut, they quickly recover. Since the willow spirea belongs to the group of summer-flowering plants, it must be pruned annually in early spring, shortening the shoots to well-developed buds; very small shoots are completely removed. After large-scale pruning, more powerful and strong shoots are formed.

It is necessary to mulch the soil around the bush with small wood shavings or humus to prevent the appearance of weeds.
Like most types of willow spirea, it is frost-resistant; it can withstand frosts down to -45 - 50 °C. To prevent the tops of the shoots from freezing, they are tied into a bundle for the winter.

The healing benefits of willow spirea

For medicinal purposes in folk medicine, young shoots with flowers, leaves, roots and bark of shrub branches are used. During flowering, the shoots are cut, tied and dried, hanging under canopies.

In terms of its chemical composition, the plant actually has a whole range of healing properties:

• Ascorbic acid supports the immune system and strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
• Carotenoids are strong antioxidants that slow down the aging of the body as a whole;
• Essential oil with phytoncides and salicylic acid anesthetizes and relieves fever;
• Flavonoids affect human enzymes and metabolic processes;
• Tannins are anesthetic and astringent.

Application in landscape design

The owner of tall crowns, willow spirea, is used as a hedge, and is also used on alpine hills to decorate them. Separately sitting bushes of willow spirea will decorate any garden.

Spiraea is a shrub that attracts attention with its lush flowering, spectacular coloring of leaves and inflorescences, the size and size of the bush, as well as unpretentiousness and endurance; this plant can be used in any type of landscaping. But in order for spirea to show all its decorative “possibilities”, you need to know some details of caring for it. Let's get to know them.

Classification of spirea species

To begin with, it is worth remembering that all spirea are divided according to flowering time.

Spring-flowering

Species such as spirea middle, sharp-toothed, plum-leaved, Vangutta, Thunberg, three-lobed bloom in May - early June and belong to the group of spring-flowering spirea.

Summer flowering

Another group of spireas becomes covered with inflorescences in July–August and is classified as a summer bloomer. These include dwarf, birchleaf, Japanese, loosestrife, white, Douglas and densely flowered.

Planting spirea

Landing location

The area for these shrubs must be located in a sunny place, even in hot southern regions.

Boarding time

The best time to plant spirea is September. Favorable weather is cloudy, or even better – rainy, when the soil is well saturated with moisture.

Soil and size of planting holes

Spiraea grows best and develop on loose, breathable soils with a large amount of humus. Of course, plants will grow on poor soils, but in this case they will not be able to show all their beauty.

Planting hole size defined as follows:

• If the soil on your site is exactly what spirea likes, the planting holes should be 25-30% larger than its root system and 40-50 cm deep.
• If the soil at the site for growing is not entirely suitable, then it is advisable to dig a hole three times larger than the root system of the seedling. Both in width and in depth.

The mixture with which the hole will be filled, are made up of sand (river), peat and turf or leaf soil. Moreover, two parts of earth are taken, but sand and peat are taken in one part.

Distance between planting holes depends on the placement of spirea and flowering time:

• Summer-flowering spireas, when planted in a hedge, are planted at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other; when arranged in several rows, the distance between rows is 30-40 cm. In group plantings, a distance of 50-70 cm is maintained, sometimes up to 1 m.
• Spring-flowering spireas are planted more freely. In hedges at a distance of 70 cm - 1 m, in group plantings - 1-1.5 m.
  For group planting, holes are dug at a distance of 50-70 cm.

Landing technology

Before planting, soil is first poured into the bottom of the hole, and then the seedling is installed, all the roots are straightened out and only then everything is carefully covered with an earthen mixture.

The bush is planted so that the root collar (the junction of the trunk and roots) is located at ground level.

Before planting, the root system must be inspected and broken and dried roots must be cut off.

If you plant a seedling with a lump of earth, then after planting, carry out good watering.

And if the root system is bare (without soil), then it is placed for 12 or 24 hours in a solution of water and a root formation stimulator. This can be heteroauxin, succinic acid, indolylacetic acid and various other drugs that can be purchased at any garden or flower center. Plants treated in this way are immediately planted in their permanent growing location.

Spirea pruning

Now let's talk about pruning, which differs for summer-flowering and spring-flowering spirea, since the inflorescences of these groups are formed on shoots of different years.

Pruning spring-flowering spirea

1. In spireas that bloom in May-early June, flower buds are evenly laid along the entire length of the shoots, but they bloom only the next year. Therefore, pruning such spireas comes down to shortening frozen and dried shoots. It is usually carried out annually in early spring (March to April).
2. Mature old branches and thin shoots are removed once every two years in the spring.
3. Also, such bushes undergo anti-aging pruning. To do this, old branches (over 7 years old) are cut out completely.

Pruning summer-blooming spireas

In plants that bloom in July–August, inflorescences form at the ends of the shoots of that year. The next year, these inflorescences dry out, and new flowers form again on the young shoots.

1. Shrubs of this group are pruned in early spring, at the very beginning of the appearance of leaves. Each well-developed branch is shortened to powerful buds, and small and too thin shoots are cut out completely.
2. After the fourth year of cultivation, it is advisable to prune the bushes at a height of 25-30 cm.

Spirea care

Watering

Newly planted plants and plants in hot, dry times need regular watering. You especially need to pay attention to Japanese spirea, since without sufficient watering it can dry out and die.

Weeding and loosening

Young plants need to be weeded. You also need to periodically loosen the soil under them, because... When weeding and watering, it becomes denser.

Mulching

It is good to mulch the ground around the spirea with peat, sawdust or husks from seeds, nuts or buckwheat. The height of the mulch is from 6 to 8 cm. This helps keep the soil moist and loose for a long time, and also reduces the number of waterings.

Top dressing

For full development and lush flowering, it is advisable to feed the bushes with fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and microelements (for example, Kemira-lux). This is done in early spring.

For spireas that bloom in July-August, it is also advisable to carry out another feeding in June.

Reproduction of spirea

This ornamental shrub can reproduce

• seeds,
• layering and
• cuttings (summer and spring).

Growing spirea from seeds

To sow seeds, select wide and low containers, which are filled with a mixture of peat (moor) and leaf soil.

After sowing, the seeds are covered with a thin layer of peat or light soil (1 cm).

The first seedlings appear on 8-10 days.

To prevent the appearance of fungal diseases, the soil and emerging plants must be treated with phytosporin, a solution of potassium permanganate or foundationazole.

After 60-90 days, the young bushes are transferred to a garden bed (shade or partial shade) and the roots are always pinched. Then be sure to water and cover with a small layer of mulching material.

In the first 3-4 years of life, spirea must be regularly watered and loosened. But it is worth considering that the root system of young spireas is shallow in the ground and can be easily damaged.

Bushes obtained from seeds begin to bloom in the 3rd or 4th year of cultivation.

Reproduction by layering

Spiraea should be propagated by layering in the spring. At this time, low-lying shoots are pressed to the ground in specially made grooves and attached with small forks. The end of the shoot is cut off and its entire length is covered with earth.

For the winter, the cuttings are covered with fallen leaves. By next spring, rooting occurs, the shoot is cut off and planted in a permanent place.

Propagation of spirea by cuttings

The most accessible and quite simple The method of propagating spirea is cuttings. In this way, you can propagate any species and hybrid of this ornamental shrub.

Cuttings are harvested after intensive growth of shoots ends. It is worth considering here that cuttings from spring-flowering species begin to be taken from the beginning of June. And for spirea, which blooms in July-August, cuttings are harvested from mid-June.

Chopped shoots are placed in containers filled with a mixture of washed river sand and peat (preferably high-moor). For friendly and quick rooting, you definitely need 4-5 times of watering or an installation that creates fog.

Most species of this shrub give a high percentage of survival rate (from 50 to 70 percent). And if you treat the cuttings in a solution of a root formation stimulator (12-24 hours), then the rooting percentage can reach 100 percent. The rooted cuttings are transferred to the beds next spring for growing or planted in a permanent place.

Diseases and pests and their control

All types of spirea are not often attacked by various pests, but sometimes it happens. Let's get to know some of them.

Spider mite

Perhaps the most formidable among them is the spider mite, since in one growing season 8 to 10 generations of this pest can appear. Whitish paniculate spots appear on the surface of the leaves on which the spider mite has settled. Then the leaves turn yellow, dry out and fall off.
The number of spider mites increases especially noticeably from July to August (during hot and dry summers).

To combat this pest, arex (0.2 percent solution), metaphos, fozalon, keltan and phosphamide are used.

Aphid

Also, quite a lot of damage is caused by aphids, which feed on the sap of leaves, peduncles and tender young shoots. It is especially dangerous from June to mid-August.

This pest can be destroyed with solutions of pirimor, actellik, kronefos, fozalon. In case of minor damage, folk remedies will also help, such as tincture of tobacco, capsicum, onion, garlic, and soap solution.

Blue meadowsaw sawfly and whitefly

To combat these pests, you can use the drug Fitoverm, Decis Pro.

Diseases

In addition to pests, spirea can be affected by fungal infections, such as gray mold and various spots. For treatment, fungicidal preparations are used, such as foundationazole, phytosporin-m, ditan m-45, Bordeaux mixture, colloidal sulfur.

Spiraea: types and varieties

Shrub propagation

Cuttings

Propagation by seeds

Planting in open ground

Selection of planting material

How and when to plant?

Landing algorithm:

Soil and site preparation

How to water correctly?

Fertilizer and feeding

Spirea pruning

Preparing for winter

• tie branches into a bundle;
• covered with dry leaves;

Plant diseases and pests

The amazingly beautiful spirea shrub evokes admiration for its grace and variety of forms. You can endlessly look at spirea photos; this activity will never make you bored. The plant not only has a universal appearance, ideal for any landscape composition. Spiraea requires minimal care, since the shrub is unpretentious. Rich in varieties, the family of these plants can satisfy the most demanding tastes of the picky gardener.

Spiraea: varieties

The wealth of varieties of spirea shrubs allows you to choose the desired form for your gardening complex. Since the original form of the wild progenitor of modern spireas belongs to the Rosaceae family, the plant is excellent for breeding. The resulting new forms are stable in their morphological manifestations.

Small buds of spirea are collected in magnificent brushes that cover the entire vine.

The translation of the word "speira" means "bend" or "flexible". This property of the wild plant formed the basis of the plant's characteristics. Beautiful flexible vines can be let along a specially prepared surface, creating arches. Or leave it as a ground cover plant.

Another advantage of this type of beautifully flowering shrubs is the bright, delicate head of flowers. Small buds are collected in magnificent clusters that cover the entire vine. Together they create the sensation of a waterfall of incredibly beautiful flowers.

According to flowering periods, spirea is divided into:

• blooming in spring;
• blooming in summer.

Taking this factor into account, you can create interesting compositions that will delight the eye throughout the warm period.

According to flowering periods, spirea is divided into spring-blooming and summer-blooming.

Spireas that bloom in spring include:

• Gray;
• Spiraea Grefsheim;
• Wangutta.

The main types of summer flowering spirea are:

• Japanese;
• Willow;
• Bumalda.

Some of these species have their own characteristics when planting, caring for and breeding. But in general, the bush brings gardeners a little trouble. Like all Rosaceae, it takes cuttings very well, which makes it possible to propagate your favorite species at home.

Spiraea japonica

Japanese Spiraea is a delicate, beautiful plant whose vines reach 2 m in length. One of the few species growing in the wild. His homeland is the island of Honshu. This part of Japan is distinguished by its harsh northern climate.

Japanese spirea blooms in mid-April and continues to delight the eye almost until the end of May.

Winters on the island are damp and cold. Spring has a short period. The earth warms up only by mid-May. However, the honey plants that pollinate the plant wake up quite early. All these conditions influenced the formation of flowering and growth cycles of the shrub.

Japanese spirea blooms in mid-April and continues to delight the eye almost until the end of May. It is resistant to cold and disease. Its main requirement is the addition of compost and peat to loamy soils.

Its decorative features are:

• lush cap of large inflorescences;
• dense vines that allow you to create hedges;
• long flowering period;
• resistance to freezing.

Japanese Spiraea does not like high groundwater

Its main requirements are:

• after planting, two weeks of intensive watering;
• availability of fertilizers;
• does not like high groundwater;
• no waterlogging.

By observing these requirements, you can create a beautiful corner of the garden. Spiraea Japanese photos show how advantageously the plant stands out from among other beautiful flowering shrubs.

In order to breed this type of spirea you will need:

• wooden box;
• sand;
• a place protected from direct sunlight;
• agrofibre.

The base is lowered into tightly compacted sand, the space around the handle is compacted

The cuttings are cut into 5 cm pieces, the cut should be oblique. The base is lowered into tightly compacted sand, the space around the handle is compacted. After fixing the cuttings in the sand, the box is covered with agrofibre. To make roots appear faster, you can add a teaspoon of “Kornevin” to the sprayed water.

Spiraea Wangutta

Spiraea Vangutta is a hybrid species that has no wild analogues. This variant of spirea prefers to grow in a dense bush. The diameter of the cluster of shoots can be up to 2 m. The branches are long and elastic, covered with spherical caps of inflorescences.

One inflorescence can reach up to 0.8 cm in diameter. The leaves have an elongated lanceolate shape. The upper part of the leaf has a bright juicy green color, the reverse plane is a grayer shade. A feature of Vangutta leaves is its ability to turn purple-red in autumn.

Spiraea Wangutta prefers to grow in a dense bush

Spiraea Wangutta flowers are always white. This is the only drawback of the variety. However, each flower of the inflorescence is large in size, which makes them noticeable. This feature more than compensates for the lack of variety in the additional color range.

The bush blooms in May and re-blooms in mid-August. Due to its large size, this bush variety is good for decorating central flower beds and creating the center of a landscape composition.

Features of the variety require a certain approach to breeding:

• the variety loves soils with drainage from sand and crushed stone;
• when planting, maintain a distance between bushes of 50-60 cm;
• before planting, seedlings must be kept in an aquatic environment for several hours;
• prefers superphosphate fertilizer.

Feeding the plant is mandatory in the spring. Since this is a hybrid, the bushes should be treated with antiviral and antifungal drugs before flowering.

Spiraea Gray

Spiraea Gray has several subvarieties. Despite the fact that Gray Spiraea itself is a hybrid, the plant lends itself well to sectioning. The name “gray” is associated with the color of the leaf blade. The reverse side of each narrow sheet has a pronounced gray color, the upper part has a rather silvery tint.

The branches of the Gray spirea descend to the ground in a dome-shape

One of the tallest varieties, the bush can reach 180 cm in height. The branches descend to the ground in a dome-like manner. Thus, the entire bush has a spherical shape. The spreading vines of Gray Spiraea cover large areas, so the bushes should not be planted too close.

The flowers of the inflorescence are arranged in a raceme. They are of medium size, each brush reaches 0.4-0.5 cm. They are located evenly along the entire length of the branch, thus creating a beautiful garland effect.

This variety of spirea is universal for introduction into the overall composition of the landscape of the territory. It can perfectly be the center of a flower bed; its branches can be laid in an arch. If you want to make a hedge, just install a strong picket fence and secure the branches to it.

Gray spirea begins to bloom in mid-May and ends in mid-April. The rest of the year the bush stands without color. But its beautiful gray-silver tint of foliage can become a backdrop for delicate summer compositions.

Gray spirea begins to bloom in mid-May and ends in mid-April.

Features of the variety in breeding:

• prefers well-lit places;
• moderate watering;
• around the base of the bush you need to make a cushion of sand and a small amount of ash;
• prefers feeding with peat;
• For the winter, the bush must be covered with agrofibre.

Spiraea gray Grefsheim

Spiraea gray Grefsheim is a subvariety of Spiraea Sera. The perfected appearance resembles the violent splashes of a fountain or a cap of snowdrifts. The branches are quite rigid, diverging in different directions at an angle of 45°C.

Large flowers of spirea gray Grefsheim up to 1 cm in diameter tightly envelop the branch along the entire length

Grefsheim is one of the most beautiful varieties of spirea. Large flowers up to 1 cm in diameter tightly envelop the entire length of the branch. This is what creates the effect of completely covering the plant with color. The base color is white, but some breeders have added a hint of soft pink.

The bush is large, up to 1.5-2 m in diameter. Its direct application is:

• for covering the corners of the site;
• decoration of the central alleys of the park area;
• creating compositions along the hedge.

The bush blooms for 45 days. Flowering begins in May; in autumn the leaves turn red-brown. This makes it possible to change the entire appearance of the garden; this effect is especially useful in creating the effect of a wild garden.

The bushes look good even outside the flowering period

Spiraea Grefsheim is demanding of care because it is a double hybrid. This also applies to growing conditions. In order for the bush to please you with its appearance, you must consider:

• illumination - the bush does not like shadows;
• moisture control - watering should not be frequent;
• wintering - the plant does not tolerate cold well, so it should be covered with agrofibre until the onset of severe frosts;
• regular pruning - the crown quickly becomes untidy because it has a high growth rate.

Taking these features into account, you can achieve a lasting visual effect. The bushes look good even outside the flowering period. It should be remembered that tightly closed crowns lead to the development of fungal diseases. The lushness of the bush will create the effect of a solid wall. However, there should be a small space between the bushes to ensure good ventilation of the crown.

Spiraea looseleaf

Spiraea Ivorista pleases the eye with the summer flowering of the shrub. The bush is two meters high, with erect branches. Unlike its relatives, Willow Spiraea prefers to grow upward. This should be taken into account when deciding on its location.

Willow spirea prefers to grow upward

Large pyramidal inflorescences have two tones of color:

• white;
• juicy pink.

The foliage of this shrub deserves special attention, as it is colored yellow-lemon. The inside of the leaf has a richer green color. Because of this, when the wind sways, a visual effect of play from yellow to green is created.

Spiraea owes its name to the shape of its leaf, which is very reminiscent of the willow tree leaf of the same name. The edge has small teeth, which makes it very attractive. This shape makes it an excellent material for use in creating plant panels.

The foliage of this shrub deserves special attention, as it is colored yellow-lemon.

In addition to these characteristics, each branch has at its tip a corolla of 3-4 bright red leaves. This adds a decorative appearance to the plant. Its breeding features include:

• tolerant attitude towards shadow;
• intensive watering before the onset of dry weather (allows the bush to more easily endure this period);
• fertilizing with phosphates;
• requires crown formation by pruning;
• fertilizing before flowering.

Overall, this is a wonderful park culture that makes it possible to create classic compositions.

Spiraea Boumalda

Spirea Bumalda has the smallest size. The shrub reaches a height of 0.8 cm. Short branches form a spherical crown. This hybrid was bred to create individual miniature compositions on alpine hills and form the first row of plant panels along the alleys.

This variety fits perfectly into many types of garden landscapes. It has a colorful appearance. Small pointed leaves are painted in bronze-orange tones. The older the bush, the more juicy shades it acquires. Old bushes almost lose this color in favor of a dark green color.

Spiraea Boumalda

The autumn period colors the crown of the bush in copper-red colors. This type of color change makes it possible to plan unexpected solutions for the appearance of a garden, park or alley. The bush practically does not require pruning, since it does not tend to grow.

• love of light;
• frost resistance;
• demanding attitude to soil moisture regime;
• unpretentious in choosing soil.

It blooms in rounded clusters located selectively along the surface of the bush. The color range ranges from white to deep pink. It blooms in summer; longer flowering can be achieved by feeding the soil with turf fertilizers.

Planting and care of spirea

Spiraea shrub planting and care is easy to handle. The main requirements of the plant are moderate soil moisture. If the waters come too close to the surface, it is worth making special drainage trenches around the perimeter of the site. This will redirect excess moisture.

Before planting the plant, it is worth preparing the soil and the cutting itself.

Before planting the plant, it is worth preparing the soil and the cutting itself:

• the roots of the cutting should stand immersed in water for a couple of hours;
• before planting, the root system must be dipped in a mixture of clay, ash and sand (ratio 1:1:1);
• the pit for planting must be prepared by creating drainage from crushed stone and sand at the bottom;
• it is necessary to create a soil mixture of podzolic soil, peat and sand (ratio 2:1:1);
• after planting, water with a bucket of water twice a day;
• take into account the light-loving nature of the plant.

Spiraea (Spiraea), or meadowsweet, is directly related to the genus of deciduous ornamental shrubs and to the rose family (Rosaceae). From the ancient Greek “speira” is translated as “bend”, this is due to the strong flexibility of its stems. This plant is considered unpretentious. This genus includes about 100 species; these plants prefer to grow in forest-steppes, steppes and semi-deserts. The first mention of this plant, which was then called meadowsweet, was noted in the epic “Sadko”, written around 1478. And in the 19th century. V.I. Dal includes information about this plant in his dictionary, where he says that thin and very strong stems of meadowsweet were used for whips and ramrods. Today, a large number of different species and varieties of meadowsweet are cultivated, which stand out for their high decorative qualities, as well as frost resistance and long flowering.

Features of the spirea bush

Spiraea are found both quite tall (about 2.5 m) and miniature (about 15 centimeters). There is a fibrous, not very deep root system. Branches can be either erect or creeping, lying or spreading. They can have a color from dark to pale brown. The bark can peel off longitudinally. Petiolate alternately arranged leaf plates have from 3 to 5 lobes and a round or lanceolate shape. Spiraea inflorescences consist of a large number of small flowers, and they can have a spicate, corymbose, paniculate or pyramidal shape. Flowers can be painted in various color shades from crimson to snow-white. The arrangement of inflorescences directly depends on the species. Thus, there are species in which they are located throughout the stem, in others - only in the upper part, and in others - only at the ends of the branches. Meadowsweet can be propagated by layering, seeds, dividing the bush or cuttings.

This plant is great for creating hedges, as well as for group plantings. At the same time, dwarf varieties are widely used for rocky gardens, rockeries, and also for living “carpets”. Also, the meadowsweet bush looks very impressive as a single plant.

Types and varieties of spirea with photos

Some types and varieties are more popular, others less popular. All spirea, based on the time when they begin to bloom, are divided into spring-flowering and summer-flowering.

Spring-flowering

Such plants bloom very early. Another feature of them is their lovely flowers, which can be painted in a wide variety of shades of white. Inflorescences grow on last year's stems. Flowers begin to appear on the shoot only in the 2nd year of its life. These meadowsweet plants are distinguished by fairly strong tillering. The following types are most popular among gardeners:

Spiraea gray

This hybrid plant was born by crossing whitish-gray spirea and St. John's wort. Its flowers are white, and the plant is called gray because of the color shade of its leaves. The height of the bush does not exceed 180 centimeters. On the drooping branches there are greenish-gray lance-shaped leaf plates (their underside is gray). White flowers are part of corymbose-shaped inflorescences, which are located along the entire length of the branch. Flowering lasts from the second half of May to mid-June. The most popular variety is gray spirea “Grefsheim”. The height and diameter of the bush vary from 150 to 200 centimeters. Brown-red drooping branches form a spreading crown. Terry snow-white small (diameter up to 1 centimeter) flowers are part of umbrella-shaped inflorescences. This meadowsweet is a honey plant; its flowering lasts 1.5 months and begins in the second year of life.

Spiraea Wangutta

This hybrid plant was created by crossing Spiraea triloba and Cantonese. The bush is quite large, its height and diameter are about 200 centimeters. On the drooping branches there are three-lobed, bare, jagged leaf plates, the front side of which is dark green and the back side is bluish. In autumn, the leaves change their color to orange-red. Along the entire length of the branches there are a large number of hemispherical inflorescences, which include white flowers with a diameter of 6 mm. Flowering in the second half of June; it happens that re-blooming occurs in August.

Spiraea nipponensis

Homeland is the island of Honshu. The height of the bush with a dense spherical crown reaches 200 centimeters. On horizontally located branches there are leaf plates up to 4.5 centimeters long; they remain green until late autumn. Flowering begins in the first days of June and lasts about 3 weeks. Corymbose-shaped inflorescences consist of greenish-yellow flowers of a centimeter in diameter. Interestingly, the buds are purple.

Spiraea arguta

This meadowsweet blooms earlier than all spring-blooming ones. The spreading and very spectacular bush reaches a height of 150–200 centimeters. During flowering, its drooping branches are completely covered with a huge number of snow-white fragrant flowers, which seem to flow through them. Flowering begins in the last days of May and lasts about 3 weeks.

Summer flowering

The inflorescences of such plants grow on the tops of young shoots. Old shoots left over from that year dry out over time. Varieties of Japanese spirea represent the majority of summer bloomers. Most often, the flowers are pink, but can be pinkish-red or red. The most popular types:

Spiraea japonica

Young shoots with felt pubescence look very impressive; as they age, they become naked. The bush can reach 100–150 centimeters in height. The underside of the oblong ovoid leaves is painted bluish, and the front side is green. In autumn they turn red, yellow or purple. Flowering lasts about 1.5 months. Corymbose-paniculate inflorescences consist of pinkish-red flowers that grow at the ends of the stems.

The most popular varieties:

Spiraea japonica Little princesses

The rounded crown reaches 120 centimeters in diameter, and the height of the bush is 60 centimeters. The dark green leaf blades are oval in shape. Pinkish-red flowers with a diameter of 3-4 centimeters are collected in corymbose-shaped inflorescences. This slow-growing plant blooms in June-July.

Spiraea japonica Golden princesses

This is a variation of the previous variety. Its difference is in the meter height of the bush and yellow leaf plates.

Spiraea japonica Shirobana

The height of the bush is from 60 to 80 centimeters, and the diameter of its crown is 120 centimeters. The two-centimeter dark green leaves have a narrow lanceolate shape. Flowering begins in July or August. Flower color is pink or white.

Spiraea japonica Goldflame

The bush reaches a height of 80 centimeters. Its orange-yellow leaves gradually acquire a rich yellow color, then yellowish-green, and in autumn they become copper-orange. The small flowers are pinkish-red.

Spiraea japonica Crispa

The spherical crown is slightly larger than 50 centimeters, and the height of the bush is 50 centimeters. There are a large number of erect stems. Flat umbrella-shaped inflorescences reach 5.5 centimeters in diameter; they consist of small light pink flowers, tinged with purple. Flowering begins in July and lasts 6–8 weeks.

Spiraea Boumalda

This hybrid plant was obtained by crossing white-flowered and Japanese spirea. A bush with erect stems reaches a height of 50–80 centimeters. In autumn, green leaves change their color to purple, red or yellow. Flowering lasts approximately 2 months and begins in July. The flowers can be painted in various shades from dark to light pink. The most popular variety is the spirea Bumalda Goldflame. The height of the bush is 80 centimeters. Young leaf blades have an orange-bronze color, gradually they become golden-yellow and then greenish-yellow. And in autumn they turn reddish-copper. However, these changes are observed if the bush grows in a sunny area, and in a shady place its foliage is green.

Spiraea looseleaf

The height of the bush reaches 200 centimeters. The upright stems are yellow-brown-reddish in color. The length of the pointed leaf plates is approximately 10 centimeters. The length of the paniculate-pyramidal inflorescences is approximately 20 centimeters. They contain pink or white flowers.

Spiraea douglas

The height of the bush is about 150 centimeters. On the surface of its straight brownish-red shoots there is pubescence. The length of the oblong-lanceolate leaf plates varies from 3 to 10 centimeters. Narrow apical pyramidal-paniculate inflorescences consist of dark pink flowers. Flowering begins in July and lasts 6 weeks.

Spiraea Billarda

This hybrid plant is obtained by crossing the willow spirea and Douglas. The bush reaches 200 centimeters in height. The length of its broadly lanceolate leaf blades is 10 centimeters. Narrow paniculate-pyramidal inflorescences reach 20 centimeters in length and consist of rich pink flowers. Flowering begins in the second half of July.

Features of cultivation

Any plant has some peculiarities in caring for it, and spirea is no exception:

1. This plant develops and grows best on turf or leaf soil. Recommended composition of the soil mixture: earth, sand and peat (2:1:1).
2. At the bottom of the hole you need to make a layer for drainage, for example, from broken brick.
3. The hole for planting should be 1/3 larger than the size of the butt of the spirea.
4. You need to plant to a depth of at least 50 centimeters, making sure that the root collar is flush with the soil surface.
5. It is recommended to plant this plant on a cloudy day, and best of all during rain. The optimal time for planting is September.
6. Spruce, juniper and thuja feel great next to meadowsweet.

Planting spirea

Planting spirea in spring

In spring, you can plant only those spirea that bloom in summer. In this case, it is imperative to plant such shrubs before the buds begin to open. When purchasing seedlings, pay special attention to the root system. If it is too dry, then such a seedling is not worth taking. You also need to inspect the shoots. They must be flexible and good buds must be placed on them. After purchasing, the seedling must be prepared for planting. So, if its roots are too long, then you need to carefully trim them so that they become shorter. If the roots are dry or damaged, all branches must be pruned. If the seedling has been stored for a long time and its roots have become too dry, then they must be moistened or immersed in a container of water for several minutes, and only after that can you begin planting.

Although such a plant is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, in order to admire the abundant flowering for as long as possible, it is necessary to choose a well-lit area with nutritious soil. And don’t forget when choosing a site that this shrub produces abundant root growth.

First you need to make a hole for the seedling. It should have steep edges. Its volume should be at least 1/3 larger than the spirea root system. Then leave the pit alone for 2–4 days. For planting, it is recommended to choose a cloudy, or better yet, a rainy day. Immediately before planting, it is necessary to lay a drainage layer of broken bricks on the bottom, which should have a thickness of 15 to 20 centimeters, especially if the soil is clayey. Then you need to prepare the soil mixture. To do this, combine turf (leaf) soil, sand and peat, taken in a ratio of 2:1:1. Pour the mixture into the hole and lower the roots of the seedling into it. Carefully straighten them and fill the hole with soil mixture, lightly compacting it so that the root collar is flush with the soil surface. After the bush is planted, it will need to be watered using 20 liters of water, and then the surface of the soil should be covered with mulch (peat).

Planting spirea in autumn

In autumn, spring- and summer-flowering spirea are planted. As a rule, during planting in autumn, the bush is divided. In this case, you need to plant the shrub before the end of leaf fall. Bushes that are 3–4 years old are excellent for dividing and replanting. Of course, this procedure can be performed with more mature spirea, but it should be taken into account that this will be quite difficult to do, since such plants have a rather voluminous and heavy root system (including the earthen coma).

Dig up a bush, in this case you need to capture a little more than ½ of the crown projection around the circumference. If you cut off a few roots, the bush will not suffer from this. After this, the root system is thoroughly washed in running water. If the bush is young and its root system is small, then it can be placed in a container (bucket) and filled with water. After some time, you need to rinse the roots under running water and straighten them. Using pruning shears, divide the bush into 2-3 divisions. It is worth considering that each separated part must have a good root lobe and 2 or 3 strong stems. Cord-like roots need to be trimmed.

Pour a mound of soil mixture into the prepared hole. Then a division is placed in it and the roots are straightened. The hole needs to be filled with soil and not compacted too much. Water the planted plant in several stages.

Spirea care

How to care for spirea

As mentioned above, spirea is a rather light-loving plant, but there are also species that feel great in a shaded place. The plant also needs loose nutritious soil, a good drainage layer, and a layer of mulch on the soil surface, the thickness of which should be about 7 centimeters.

Since the spirea root system is not very deep, it needs to be watered quite often and moderately. So, in dry times, you need to pour 1.5 buckets of water onto each bush once every 2 weeks. You also need to regularly loosen the top layer of soil and pull out weeds. The first time you need to feed the plant is after pruning; for this, complex mineral fertilizer is used. In mid-July, it is recommended to fertilize the bush with a solution of mullein, to which superphosphate should be added (10 grams of the substance per bucket of solution).

Most often, spider mites and aphids settle on this plant. You can get rid of aphids using pirimor, and from spider mites - karbofos. As a rule, spirea are highly resistant to diseases, and pests settle on them extremely rarely and do not cause any significant harm to them.

Spirea pruning

Bushes can grow in a relatively short time; therefore, pruning must be carried out systematically. In spring-flowering plants, the inflorescences are located along the entire length of the branches, and therefore, once a year, only the ends of the branches that have frozen during the winter cold need to be cut off. However, after 7–14 years, all the old stems are cut off from the bushes, or rather, the spirea is cut almost to the stump. After young shoots appear, you need to select 5–6 of the strongest stems from them to form a bush. In this case, other stems will need to be cut off completely. After 1–2 years, all weakened or old stems of the bush should be cut off. The tips of the branches are pruned exclusively in spring until the buds fully open. Old stems can be removed either in spring or in summer.

Late-flowering species and varieties should be pruned every year at the very beginning of spring. Pruning of the stem is carried out to the first bud, while weakened and small shoots must be cut out completely. It is necessary to cut off old stems in a timely manner, as they gradually begin to dry out on their own. After the spirea reaches four years of age, it is recommended to cut it annually to a height of about 30 centimeters from the soil. If even after such a procedure the shoots are rather weak, it is best to replace the bush. As a rule, summer-flowering species live for about 15–20 years.

Reproduction of spirea

It can be propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, layering and cuttings. Propagation by seeds is not suitable for hybrid varieties, since such plants cannot retain varietal characteristics. The best way is cuttings, because about 70 percent of all cuttings produce roots very quickly, even without the use of growth stimulating drugs. Spring-flowering species should be cut from the first weeks of June, and summer-flowering species from mid-June or July. Rooting of lignified cuttings should be done in September or October.

It is necessary to trim the one-year-old straight stem and divide it into pieces. It must be remembered that each cutting must have 5 or 6 leaf blades. The leaves located at the bottom must be torn off with their petioles, and those located at the top must be shortened by ½ part. After this, the cutting must be placed in an epin solution for 12 hours (1.5 ml of substance per 3 liters of water). Then the node located below must be dipped in the root, and then planted in a container filled with moistened sand, and the cutting should be at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees. Cover with film or glass. Place them in a shaded place and moisten them with a spray bottle 2 or 3 times a day. After frosts begin, the cuttings need to be buried in the garden bed and covered with dried leaves on top. You need to place a box on top of them, after turning it over, and they should stay like that until spring. After young shoots appear next year, they are planted in a permanent place.

In order to propagate by layering, you need to make a groove in the soil and put a stem in it, which is fixed and covered with soil. To obtain several young shoots at once, you need to pinch the upper part of the cuttings. In this case, all lateral buds will be able to produce shoots. In autumn, the cuttings must be taken out and divided into the resulting shoots. They need to be planted in a permanent place.

Spiraea after flowering

It is very simple to prepare such a shrub for wintering. Almost all types of spirea have good winter hardiness. If you are worried that the winter will be too cold and with little snow, then cover the root system with dry foliage, and the layer thickness should be 10–15 centimeters.

Spiraea, otherwise erroneously called meadowsweet, is a perennial shrub. Currently, breeders have bred about one hundred species of spirea.

The plant is distinguished by its endurance and ability to adapt to any conditions in open ground. For Japanese spirea, it is enough to be in the open sun for only four hours to feel good in the ground. In appearance, it is a bush with a hemispherical crown. Some of its varieties have a lush crown, others - tousled.

How and when is spirea planted?

The bush is planted in open ground either in early autumn or at the very beginning of spring. Planting time usually depends on the selected bush variety. If the variety begins to bloom in the spring, then it is advisable to move it into open ground in the fall. If it is in the summer, then it is better if the spirea is planted in the spring. It is important to consider that flowering after planting in the soil occurs only after three years. Japanese spirea begins to bloom in July.

Usually, seedlings are purchased to decorate the site. Before planting in open ground, they must be carefully prepared.

First, you should check the root system of the future bush. Long roots are lightly trimmed and damaged ones are removed. Secondly, the stem also needs to be cut by a third.

If you purchased a seedling for planting whose root system is closed, remove it from the container and water it well. If the lump of earth around the roots is very dense, then it is also soaked in water for about two hours. Only after this can the seedling be moved into open ground.

Although spirea is considered an unpretentious plant, you still need to choose the right place for planting.

Only then will it delight you with lush and bright flowering. The shrub loves sun and loose, fertile soil. If the soil composition is clayey, it is best to create a brick-sand drainage, the height of which will be 15 cm.

To create a beautiful landscape design, spirea can be planted along the entire perimeter as a hedge. In this case, the distance from bush to bush should be at least 50 cm.

After you have dug a hole, it needs to sit for a day before planting. Then a mixture of peat, turf soil and sand is added to it. The plant is planted in open ground, straightening the roots, and sprinkled with earth up to the root collar. Then water and mulch with peat.

Spirea care

When planting Japanese spirea in open ground is completed, all you have to do is take care of the development of the bush in a timely manner. Care consists of watering.

This plant, being a summer bloomer, needs more abundant watering than spirea species that bloom early.

Care also includes fertilization. The shrub is fed no more than three times a season, although it is usually fertilized only twice. For feeding, it is best to use mineral complexes. You can also resort to the following fertilizer recipe: take 10 liters of liquid manure, 60 liters of water and only 10 grams of superphosphate.

Care for spirea includes pruning. If the plant blooms in summer, then it should be pruned in early spring.

If your shrub blooms in the spring, then it is pruned immediately after flowering.

Some gardeners say that Japanese spirea does not require pruning. On the one hand, this is true: even without pruning it will bloom beautifully. On the other hand, the lack of such care can lead to its sloppy appearance.

To prune a plant correctly, you need to take into account the timing of its bud formation. There are two groups of shrubs. In the first, they are laid directly in the year of flowering, and in the second, in the previous year.

Varieties of Japanese spirea belong to the first group. It should be cut after a few years, thus rejuvenating the bush. Without this care, after some time the old stems will tilt the entire bush down, and the top of the Japanese spirea will dry out. There is a practice to completely cut off the top of the bush after four years of flowering.

If you nevertheless acquired spirea species of the second group, and these include spirea vangutta, long bud and nippon, old shoots should be removed after seven years. Frozen branches are pruned annually. Plants of this group have many shoots.

Japanese spirea tolerates frost well, so it does not need additional shelter for the winter in a temperate climate. And yet, in severe frosts it can lose two-year-old shoots. Therefore, for the winter in northern latitudes, it is bent to the ground and covered with a layer of dry leaves. It is also better to protect species that were planted in the fall from winter cold. Some varieties can easily tolerate frosts of -50 degrees. But if your garden is located in an area where winters are very harsh, it is better to cover varieties such as sharp-toothed or white. They are less cold-resistant. There are types of spirea that can not only freeze branches, but also die in frosts of about -45 degrees. These include Spiraea vangutta or Douglas. Therefore, it is better not to purchase these varieties at all for cultivation in northern latitudes.

Reproduction of spirea bush

The plant can be propagated using seeds, layering or cuttings. The seed method is suitable only for non-hybrid varieties.

If you try to plant a hybrid seed in open ground, the appearance of the plant will very vaguely resemble the mother’s.

Seeds are planted in the spring. Before planting, it is important to prepare a place for the seed. To do this, take a mixture of leaf soil and peat, moisten it, put a seed and mulch the soil. You will notice shoots within 10 days. To prevent them from being affected by fungus, they are treated with foundationazole.

When propagated by seeds in the first year after germination, the plant will form only one shoot. Two months after planting, the spirea needs to be pruned: removed from the soil, shortened the root system and planted again in open ground.

In one year, the shrub grows up to ten centimeters, but it will begin to bloom only after at least three years.

To propagate by cuttings, you need to take green cuttings or shoots that are half lignified. If you have chosen an early variety of spirea, you should cut it in early summer. It is best to propagate Japanese spirea using cuttings in July.

After you have received the cutting, you should plant it in a mixture of river sand and peat. It should be watered five times a day. And in the room in which the planting material is located, you need to create high humidity. The cuttings are picked in the spring.

Just before flowering, the plant is propagated by layering. To do this, the branches concentrated along the perimeter are bent to the bottom and sprinkled with soil. With regular watering, more bushes of the plant will appear in the fall. For successful overwintering, the cuttings are sprinkled with leaves. And in the spring they can be planted separately.

Types of spirea and their varieties

Despite the popularity of Japanese spirea, you can pay attention to its other species.

Early bushes include spirea vangutta, gray, arguta, and nippon.

Gray spirea is actually white, but is named so because of the grayish tint of the leaves. This is a hybrid of two varieties. The height of the bush usually reaches 180 cm. Flowering begins in mid-May and ends in mid-June. It is very popular among gardeners. Especially its variety “Grefsheim”, the crown diameter of which reaches two meters. White flowers are collected in umbrellas and reach a centimeter in diameter.

Spiraea vangutta grows up to two meters. This is also the diameter of the crown. The dark green leaves are glaucous on the underside, and by autumn they acquire a beautiful orange tint. White flowers cover the entire branch. The variety begins to bloom in June, and may bloom again in August.

Spiraea vangutta variety “Pink Ice” looks great in the garden.

Typically this variety is used as a hedge.

Spiraea nipponensis is also considered a tall shrub, reaching a height of two meters.

It is noteworthy that even in autumn its leaves retain their green color.

Its flowers also differ in color: they are not white, but yellow-green. Inside the bud they are purple.

The argut variety has gained popularity due to its beautifully shaped two-meter bush. Its branches spread out so that from the outside it looks like a waterfall. A lot of white flowers are formed on the branches, emitting a pleasant aroma.

Summer-flowering varieties include Japanese spirea, Douglas, Buwalda, loosestrife, Bullarda. Typically, the flowers of these shrubs have a pink tint. Among the summer-flowering varieties, it is the Japanese spirea varieties that are especially popular.

Japanese spirea reaches one and a half meters in height, although it can grow up to a meter.

Its leaves below are also bluish in color. In autumn they change color, becoming red and yellow. It is noteworthy that Japanese spirea blooms for about 45 days.

Among its varieties, there are five that are especially loved by landscape designers and gardeners.

“Little Princess” is a Japanese spirea that grows a little over half a meter. The diameter of its crown is small and has pink flowers of a reddish hue. But their diameter is more than three centimeters. The variety grows slowly.

“Golden Princesses” - a variety of Japanese spirea differs from the previous one only in the yellow color of the flowers and the height of the bush one meter.

Among the low varieties of Japanese spirea, “Shirobana” is noted, growing up to 60 cm. It has small pink flowers, the diameter of which is two centimeters.

“Goldflame” is a variety of Japanese spirea, the height of the bush is 80 cm. The flowers are red with a hint of pink. The leaves change color to crimson in autumn.

“Crispa” is a Japanese spirea, reaching 50 cm. It has a spherical crown. Its inflorescences do not hang down, but are directed upward. The diameter of the pink flowers with a purple tint is about six centimeters. This variety can bloom for two months.

Another variety of shrub that blooms in summer is Spiraea Boumalda.

This hybrid is based on Japanese and white-flowered spirea. It can be either 50 cm or 80 cm in height. The color of the flowers can be light pink or dark red. By autumn, the leaves change color from green to picturesque orange, yellow and purple.

One of its most famous varieties is “Goldflame”. It is distinguished by the fact that its leaves have an orange tint, which turns red in the fall. However, if the location of the bush is in the shade, then the leaves will be green.

Willow spirea is also distinguished by shoots that grow upward. Long inflorescences have a pink tint.

The Douglas variety has small green leaves and dark pink flowers. The inflorescences are shaped like a pyramid. The plant blooms for about a month and a half.

Billard's Spiraea is a hybrid of the latter two varieties. Grows up to two meters. The leaves are small, and the flowers are bright pink in long pyramidal inflorescences.

Shrub in landscape design

The advantages of spirea are that different varieties bloom at different times. This means that, if desired, you can ensure that its bushes bloom from spring to autumn. Moreover, the shade of the flowers will beautifully shimmer from white to pink.

Plant species have their own special functionality, well known to designers. For single plantings, spirea vangutta, Douglas or sharp-toothed are best suited. Their arched shoots can create a beautiful bush shape.

Its low species are suitable for edge planting. Such spirea will look great in green-leaved compositions, especially if their shoots have a reddish tint and the flowers are red. They are also perfect for decorating rock gardens and rockeries. It is interesting to note that it is the low-growing varieties that have a wide root system that seems to draw on the ground. It is worth noting that in addition to its decorative properties, spirea can be called a healing plant: it purifies the air well.

Japanese spirea - a beautiful ornamental plant

Japanese spirea has all the qualities of an ideal garden plant.

It is not whimsical, easily reproduces, and with its decorative foliage and luxurious flowering it can decorate any landscape.

This explains the great love of gardeners and designers for Japanese spirea.

General characteristics of the plant

Spiraea (or in Latin Spiraea) is a bright representative of the Rosaceae family. This is a beautifully flowering deciduous shrub that has easily adapted to our climate and is grown in many regions of Russia.

The genus Spiraea includes at least 90 plant species. About half of the wild species have been introduced into garden culture. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, new varieties of spirea appear regularly.

The most popular is the Japanese spirea (or in Latin Spiraea japonica), which came to us from Japan and China. It is not whimsical and is very loved by gardeners for its decorative foliage and luxurious, abundant and long-lasting flowering.

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The elliptical or ovoid leaves of the plant have an interesting feature. In the spring, starting to bloom, they turn reddish-brownish, turn green in the summer, and by autumn they again acquire a reddish color. Using this effect, breeders have created many varieties with unusual foliage that does not change throughout the season.

The pink-red flowers of the plant are collected in lush thyroid inflorescences with a diameter of 5 to 30 cm, depending on the variety. Among representatives of its genus, Japanese spirea is the record holder for the duration of flowering.

In mid- or late June it becomes covered with fragrant caps of flowers and continues to bloom until autumn. During flowering, Japanese spirea is a very spectacular sight.

According to the flowering period, all cultivated species of the genus Spiraea are divided into spring-flowering (from the end of May) and summer-blooming (from the end of June). Japanese spirea is a summer flowering plant.

For more information about Japanese spirea, watch the video:

Varieties of Japanese spirea

Through the efforts of breeders, more than 50 varieties have been developed based on Japanese spirea, and each of them has its own special charm.

Little princesses- a small oval-shaped shrub up to 60 cm high. The leaves are dark green, and red-pink flowers up to 4 cm in diameter form corymbose inflorescences.

Golden princesses- shrub up to 1 m in height with red-pink inflorescences and yellow foliage.

Goldflame- an interesting variety with small red-pink flowers and changing foliage. At first the leaves are yellow-orange in color, then they become bright yellow, then green-yellow, and in the fall - copper-orange.

Shirobana- low form up to 60 cm in height and wide crown up to 1.2 m in diameter. Blooms with pink or white flowers in late July.

Crispa- low-growing shrub up to 50 cm tall. Small pale pink flowers with a lilac tint are collected in umbrella inflorescences. Flowering begins in July and lasts about two months.

Macrophylla- an interesting form with wrinkled leaves, the color of which contains red and purple shades throughout the summer. It blooms with umbrella inflorescences of delicate pink color.

Varieties of Japanese spirea are presented in the photo:

Landing

Japanese spirea is planted in the spring. The main thing is to have time to plant the plant before the leaves begin to bloom. Seedlings can be purchased at garden centers. They are sold with bare roots or in containers filled with earthen substrate.

When purchasing a seedling, carefully inspect the roots, making sure they are not overdried. Also check the condition of young shoots.

A healthy plant should have shoots that are flexible and have strong buds.

If you received spirea with dried roots, pour them thoroughly with water or soak them in water for 15 minutes. Before planting, carefully trim off any damaged or overgrown roots.

Spirea is known for its unpretentiousness, but in order for it to reveal itself in all its glory, it is advisable to provide it with the best conditions. Choose a place for the plant that is sunny and with fertile soil.

When choosing a site, keep in mind that the bush produces numerous basal shoots, which increases the area occupied by the plant.

We plant Japanese spirea as follows:

1. We dig a planting hole with a size one third larger than the volume of the roots of the seedling. Let the pit sit for 2 to 4 days.
2. For planting, choose a cloudy or rainy day. At the bottom of the hole we lay a drainage layer of small broken bricks about 20 cm thick.
3. We make the soil for the seedling from 3 parts of turf soil, 2 parts of humus soil, 1 part of peat and 1 part of sand.
4. We lower the roots of the seedling into the planting hole, straighten them, fill them with the prepared earthen mixture up to the root neck and compact the soil.
5. We spill the plant with one or two buckets of water and mulch with peat.
6. After planting, we make several tree-trunk depressions to retain atmospheric moisture and water after watering.

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Japanese spirea care

Spirea has minimal care requirements. Water it sparingly. In dry weather, provide the plant with water in the amount of 20 liters per bush twice a month.

Make sure that the base of the spirea is kept loose and free of weeds. Mulching with crushed bark, peat or compost helps with this.

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. Fertilize the plant for the first time after spring pruning with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer. Feed the spirea a second time in July with mullein infusion at the rate of 1 to 3 liters per bush. You can add superphosphate to the mullein solution (10 g per 10 liters of infusion).

Spiraea is quite hardy and can withstand winter cold. However, out of fears about a snowless and too cold winter, take care and cover the roots of the plant with a layer of foliage 15-20 cm thick.

Trimming

Spiraea grows quickly and actively, so it needs an annual spring pruning. Shorten shoots to strong, large buds. Remove weak, broken and frost-damaged shoots.

Spiraea at the age of 4 years can be shortened more boldly, leaving only 30 cm of shoot height. The more you prune the plant, the more powerful and luxuriant the bush will grow. Don't forget to remove old and drying branches.

Reproduction

Seeds

Seeds are sown in spring in a container with a peat-earth mixture. Grown seedlings are planted in open ground in June or July, pinching the tip of the main root so that a more powerful root system develops.

Spiraea grown from seed blooms in the 3rd or 4th year. However, you should know that propagation by seeds does not preserve varietal characteristics.

Cuttings

Propagation of Japanese spirea by cuttings

In July, annual shoots are cut into cuttings with 5 or 6 leaves. The lower leaves are removed and the cuttings are kept in the Epin solution for 12 hours. Then they are treated with “Kornevin” and placed in a damp sandy substrate for rooting.

The cuttings are covered with film or glass and sprayed with water three times a day. In the fall, when the roots appear, the cuttings are planted in a garden bed, covered with leaves, covered with a box and left until spring. At the end of spring, when the cuttings have new shoots, they are planted in a permanent place.

Dividing the bush

In the autumn, without waiting for the end of leaf fall, spirea is dug up at the age of 3 or 4 years. In this case, you need to try to dig in a circle with a diameter of more than half the crown.

The roots are washed well and divided with pruning shears into two or three bushes so that all divisions have a good root lobe and two or three strong shoots.

They dig a hole, pour a mound in the middle of it, place a plant on it and level out the roots. Next, the hole with the seedling is sprinkled with earth, compacted and spilled with water.

Pests and diseases

Spiraea gets sick very rarely, but can be attacked by aphids and spider mites. Treating the plant with a solution of Dalmatian chamomile, karbofos, capsicum or tobacco leaves helps get rid of aphids. Drugs such as “Aktara” and “Actellik” can cope with spider mites.

Japanese spirea in landscape design

In the design of gardens and parks, spirea is simply irreplaceable. It is distinguished by a wide variety of varieties of different shapes and colors, does not oppress other plants and tolerates pruning well. The plant looks great both in a small garden and in a respectable country estate.

Spiraea perfectly complements the composition of low trees and ornamental green shrubs. A spirea bush strewn with flowers on a green lawn looks impressive. It is also stunningly good in a rocky garden with thuja, juniper, cypress and low spruce trees.

Spiraea Japanese golden princess in landscape design

Spiraea is perfect for “tapping” larger shrubs: lilac, viburnum, mock orange, rhododendron, barberry and buldenezh. Low-growing plant varieties can often be found in rockeries.

Designers actively use Japanese spirea as a hedge, since it is a cheap planting material and can be easily formed. With frequent pruning, spirea does not bloom, but the decorative multi-colored foliage of some of its varieties more than makes up for the missing flowering.

If you don’t already have a beautiful Japanese spirea on your site, be sure to get one. As you can see, it requires very little attention and care, but in gratitude it gives much more - a scattering of elegant inflorescences on a lush, spreading bush.

Jul 22, 2015 Elena Timoshchuk

Among ornamental shrubs, spirea occupies a special place. She is surprisingly unpretentious and easily forgives the gardener even the most unobtrusive care. A wide variety of shapes and types allows you to choose the plant that best fits into the surrounding landscape to decorate your site. Planting and caring for spirea is not difficult; even a novice gardener can handle it.

Spiraea: types and varieties

The genus Spiraea belongs to the rose family and is quite numerous, it includes more than 70 species. The distribution area of ​​this deciduous shrub is wide. It can be found in the northern hemisphere in most climate zones. Spiraea rarely has single flowers; most often they are collected in a corymbose inflorescence, sometimes in a panicle. The color of the flowers depends on the flowering time of the species. Plants that bloom in spring have white flowers that bloom on last year's shoots; in species that bloom in summer, the pink-crimson color scheme predominates; the flowers are located on annual growths.

The most common types.

• Medium spirea is an inhabitant of Siberian and Far Eastern forests, a tall shrub - above 2 m with white corymbose flowers that open in May and do not fall for 3 weeks, frost-resistant and drought-resistant, used in landscaping, suitable for northern regions.
• Spiraea birch leaf - grows in Siberia, from 1 to 2 m high, white flowers are collected in huge shields - up to 10 cm in diameter, blooms at the end of May and blooms throughout June.
• Spiraea crenate - has been used in landscaping for 200 years; there are cultivated hybrid varieties. In nature it is a low shrub, up to only 1 m, that blooms at the end of May. Quite large flowers are collected in corymbose inflorescences; due to the large number of long yellow stamens, they seem to have a golden hue. This type of spirea is drought- and frost-resistant and can be used to strengthen floating soils.
• Spiraea St. John's wort is a shrub up to 1 m high, flowering in May-June, white flowers, used to obtain new plant forms.
• Gray spirea is the result of crossing the previous species and whitish-gray spirea, has highly decorative varieties that bloom in spring. The most favorite variety of this species among gardeners is Spiraea Grefsheim. The shoots of a tall bush bend towards the ground under the weight of flowers that completely cover the bush. The flowering is so abundant that the leaves are almost invisible.
• Spiraea oakleaf - blooms in umbrella-shaped inflorescences of white flowers with a large number of protruding stamens for 25 days, flowering occurs in May-June. The species is used in culture and tolerates shearing well.
• Spiraea Nipponensis came to us from Japan - this highly ornamental shrub, 1-2 m high, is decorated with yellowish-white shields of inflorescences that appear in June. It is not frost-resistant; in severe winters the tops of the shoots freeze, but quickly recover. The most famous variety is Snowound. A huge number of flowers on a bush up to 1.5 m high makes it very decorative during flowering. The width of the bush is 2 times the height.
• Spiraea Vangutta is no less decorative - a hybrid species that blooms very profusely in June-July with white flowers collected in corymbs. The bush has an average height and can freeze slightly in frosty winters.
• Japanese spirea is quite thermophilic, but due to the small height of the bush - up to 1 m - it overwinters without loss, covered with snow. The most interesting varieties: Little Princess and Shirobana. Little Princess - a bush up to 80 cm high and up to 1.2 m wide, blooms very profusely in June-July with pink flowers collected in small corymbs, grows slowly. Shirobana is a bush up to 0.8 m high and up to 0.6 m wide, blooms in mid-summer. Flowers in corymbose inflorescences have three colors - white, pink and crimson; if you trim the faded inflorescences, new ones will decorate the bush for another month.
• The lovely spirea stands out among other species because it blooms twice: in June on last year’s shoots and in July and August on newly grown shoots. The flowers are collected in complex corymbs and can be white or pale pink. The species is not frost-resistant - down to -18 degrees, so in the middle zone it overwinters under cover.
• Spiraea Bumalda is a decorative hybrid species that also has a yellow-leaved form. The bush is low - up to 0.8 m in width and height. It blooms for more than 3 months with bright pink flowers in large corymbs. The most famous variety is Anthony Waterer.
• Spiraea willow leaves grow wild in Siberia. The tall bush blooms in July and August with bright pink flowers collected in pyramidal panicles.
• Douglas spirea grows above 2 m. In the second half of summer it is decorated with pink flowers collected in paniculate inflorescences.
• By crossing the previous species and the willow spirea, Billard's spirea was obtained. The tall frost-resistant shrub blooms in the second half of summer and is decorated with large paniculate inflorescences of pink color until frost.
• The hybrid lilac-colored spirea also blooms for a long time; only the paniculate inflorescences have a lilac-pink color, in accordance with the name. The bush can grow up to 2 m.

Spiraea: growing features

Spiraea are unpretentious, but with proper care they produce abundant flowering. Different flowering times dictate different pruning times. Some species and varieties have their own special preferences regarding soil and care. Most spireas prefer humus-rich, but not heavy soil without stagnant water, but they will do well in not too fertile soil. To prevent the roots from getting wet, they need drainage. But before you plant a plant, it needs to be propagated.

Shrub propagation

It is very easy to propagate spirea. Some species produce root shoots that can be planted. Parts of the divided bush take root well. Flexible shoots allow layering to be rooted. To propagate all species, you can use cuttings, and for non-hybrid forms and varieties you can also sow seeds.

Cuttings

When the cutting is rooted, you will get an exact copy of the parent plant. Green cuttings of early-flowering varieties are cut at the beginning of June, and for late-flowering varieties - at the end of the month. For already lignified cuttings, the best time for rooting is autumn, September or October.

• An annual green shoot is cut and cut into pieces with 5-6 leaves.
• Remove the bottom pair of leaves, shorten the rest by half.
• Place the lower cut in a vessel with Epin solution for 12 hours.
• It is treated with a powdered root formation stimulator.
• Planted in a container with loose soil sprinkled with a layer of sand at an angle of about 40 degrees to stimulate root formation.
• Cover with film or a glass jar and place in a lacy shade under the trees.
• Moisten the soil in the cuttings, preventing it from drying out, and spray the cuttings themselves several times a day.
• In autumn, the container is dug into the soil, mulched with fallen leaves and covered with a wooden box.
• In spring the cover is removed. After young shoots appear, the plants are planted in the garden in a permanent place.

Propagation by seeds

In non-hybrid varieties and species, seed germination reaches 80%. They are collected when the boxes turn brown, but have not yet opened. Ripen in the room for 2 weeks. You can sow both before winter and in spring. Seeds do not require stratification. Seedlings dive when 2 true leaves are formed. Further care: watering as needed, 2 feedings with complete mineral fertilizer. In the fall, the seedlings are planted in a seedling bed, and next year in a permanent place. They begin to bloom in the 3rd year.

Planting in open ground

Proper planting is the key to abundant flowering and healthy plants. It is very important to maintain the optimal distance between plants to provide them with the necessary nutritional area. When laying a hedge, it is enough to plant spirea 30 cm from each other; for normal planting, the distance should be greater, since the bushes grow greatly in width: for tall varieties - about 1 m, for short varieties - 0.8 m.

Selection of planting material

Now there are many varieties and hybrids of spirea on sale. The choice of plant depends, first of all, on what place the spirea will occupy in the landscape design of a particular site. For a hedge you will need many plants of the same type, it is better if they are tall. As a tapeworm, you can plant an openwork bush with long flowering. On an alpine hill, low-growing compact varieties would be appropriate. But no matter what variety you choose, the plant must have a developed and healthy root system, consisting of 3 taproots and a well-developed lobe covered with clay mash. When planting in spring, there are no swollen buds, but when planting in autumn, the leaves are already flying. It is best to choose a seedling grown in a container - it can be planted throughout the growing season.

How and when to plant?

Spiraea is planted in pre-dug holes. Their size should be slightly larger than the root system of the plant. Typically the depth is about 70 cm, 20 of which is drainage from expanded clay or brick fragments. The diameter of the hole is determined by the size of the roots.

Landing algorithm:

• a plant is placed on a mound of earth poured in a hole, straightening the roots;
• add more soil, taking into account that the root collar is strictly at soil level;
• water the planting circle using 2 to 3 buckets of water;
• mulch the soil around the bush with a layer of peat 7 cm thick.

Planting time depends on the chosen variety: late-flowering ones are planted in the spring, early-flowering ones in the fall, but no later than 3-4 weeks before the onset of frost.

Soil and site preparation

The planting site should be well lit by the sun, with slight shading allowed during the day. It must be remembered that spirea does not bloom well in the shade.

This plant is undemanding to soil. The preferred soil for spirea is light turf or leaf soil, with a neutral or slightly acidic soil reaction. Heavy clay soils are improved by adding sand and peat; light sandy soils should be supplemented with a little clay. From fertilizers you can add st. spoons of long-acting ABA fertilizer for each bush. This amount will be enough for the plant for several years.

Nuances of planting in spring and autumn

If a variety blooms in summer, it is better to plant it in the spring; early-blooming varieties are planted in the fall, but so that the bushes take root before the onset of frost. In both cases, the plants must be at rest. In the spring, the buds should not yet swell, and in the fall the leaf fall should already end.

Care for spirea in open ground

This unpretentious plant does not require special care measures, but timely feeding and watering will provide it with maximum decorativeness.

How to water correctly?

Spiraea is a drought-resistant plant, but in extreme heat and in the absence of rain for a long time it needs to be watered. This is especially true for recently planted bushes. For an adult plant, the watering norm is 1.5 buckets per bush. For low-growing species and varieties, one bucket is enough. It is enough to water once every 2 weeks, thoroughly soaking the root layer.

Fertilizer and feeding

In order for spirea to grow and bloom well, they should be fed regularly.

You can choose the following power plan:

• in spring, nitrogen mineral or organic fertilizer; for early flowering varieties, additional fertilizing with a complete mineral fertilizer with microelements is needed;
• in June, plants are fed with complete mineral fertilizer;
• at the end of August, fertilizing with phosphorus and potassium salts is needed so that the spirea is better prepared for winter.

At the end of summer, spirea should not be fed with any fertilizers containing nitrogen; this can provoke the growth of new shoots that will not have time to ripen and will freeze in winter.

All fertilizers can be applied both in dry and liquid form, combining them with watering. The next day, the soil around the plant needs to be loosened.

Spirea pruning

It is carried out over several periods, depending on the purpose.

• Spring pruning is sanitary. Only dry and frost-damaged shoots are removed.
• Formative. Spiraea blooming in summer on the shoots of the current year are pruned in the spring immediately after the snow melts, combining formative pruning with sanitary pruning. Remove thin branches that thicken the bush - they will not give good flowering. Different types of spirea have their own subtleties in pruning. Pruning of spirea Douglas and Boumald begins only in the fourth year of life. Miniature varieties, not exceeding 40 cm in height, are cut into 2 buds. Shoots with foliage that does not match the color of the variety are cut out. After flowering, the seed pods are removed if there is no need for seeds - this promotes the re-blooming of the inflorescences. It is enough to cut off a third of the shoot. The green hedge is trimmed to give the required shape. Spring-flowering spirea are formed after flowering, cutting off the shoots at the level of strong young growth. The crown of the bush should be symmetrical.
• Anti-aging pruning. It is carried out on adult bushes, starting from the 7th year of life. Remove all old shoots, leaving no more than 5-7 young shoots, while maintaining the symmetry of the bush. It is better to carry out such pruning in several stages so as not to weaken the bush too much.

Preparing for winter

The first wintering of a newly planted bush is a serious test. But adult plants, despite the frost resistance of most varieties and species, also need to be prepared for winter. For many of them, it is enough to feed the plants in August with potassium and phosphorus fertilizers, carry out moisture-recharging irrigation after leaf fall and mulch the tree trunk circle with humus.

For less frost-resistant varieties you will have to build a shelter:

• tie branches into a bundle;
• bend the bundle to the ground, fixing it with special fasteners;
• covered with dry leaves;
• add additional snow.

Plant diseases and pests

Spiraea rarely suffers from disease, but in damp summers it can be damaged by powdery mildew and gray mold. To eliminate them, copper-containing fungicides, Fitosporin, and colloidal sulfur are used.

Some of the most common pests include aphids, blue meadowsawfly, whitefly and spider mites. Insecticides are effective against the first three: Fitoverm, Actellik. Insectoacaricides suitable against ticks: Metaphos.

The nuances of growing in Siberia, the Urals, and the Moscow region

Almost all varieties and types of spirea are suitable for cultivation in central Russia. Shrubs such as Japanese and Nippon spirea need additional winter shelter.

In the Urals the climate is more severe. In its southern part, almost all types of spirea will grow well. In the middle zone and, especially in the north, preference should be given to frost-resistant shrubs. The same can be said about spirea in Siberia. Only low-growing varieties are able to overwinter under the snow without much loss. If medium and tall plants are not covered, then they are guaranteed to constantly freeze in the winter; decorativeness and abundant flowering cannot be achieved in such conditions.

Correctly selected varieties of spirea can create a flowering conveyor throughout the entire growing season and will be a real decoration of any garden.

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 (lat. Spiraea), or spiraea, is a genus of ornamental deciduous shrubs of the Rose family (Rosaceae). Translated from ancient Greek, “speira” means “bend,” and the validity of this name is confirmed by the special flexibility of its shoots. The main advantage of spirea is its unpretentiousness. There are about one hundred species of spirea, growing in the steppe, forest-steppe and semi-deserts. Mentions of spirea, or rather meadowsweet, are also found in the epic “Sadko” (approximately 1478), then in the 19th century information about this plant appears in V.I. Dahl’s dictionary: he writes that the strong and thin branches of meadowsweet used for cleaning rods and whips. Today, different types and varieties of spirea are grown in culture, and all of them are distinguished not only by their high decorativeness, but also by frost resistance and flowering time.

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Planting and caring for spirea (in brief)

• Landing: in September, in rainy or cloudy weather. In spring, only summer-flowering species can be planted.
• Bloom: species are divided into those that bloom in spring and those that bloom in summer.
• Lighting: bright sunlight.
• The soil: loose, fertile, consisting of turf or leaf soil with the addition of peat and sand.
• Watering: in the dry season - 15 liters of water for each bush 2 times a month.
• Feeding: twice per season: in early spring after pruning - with a solution of complex mineral fertilizers, in mid-summer - with a solution of mullein with the addition of superphosphate.
• Trimming: In spring-flowering species, in early spring only the tips that have been frozen over the winter are pruned, but after 15 years the plant is pruned into a stump for rejuvenation. The shoots of summer-flowering species are pruned every spring to strong buds, and after 4 years the bush is pruned at a height of 30 cm for the purpose of rejuvenation.
• Reproduction: seed and vegetative (by dividing the bush, cuttings and layering).
• Pests: rose leaf miners, rose leaf rollers, spider mites, aphids.
• Diseases: not sick.

Read more about growing spirea below.

Spiraea bush - description

Plants of the genus Spiraea can be either dwarf (15 cm) or very tall (up to two and a half meters). The root system is shallow and fibrous. The branches are creeping or erect, spreading or recumbent, from light brown to dark in color, the bark tends to peel off longitudinally. The leaves are petiolate, alternate, three to five lobed, lanceolate or rounded.

Spiraea flowers are small but numerous, forming a variety of inflorescences - paniculate, spicate, pyramidal, corymbose. The color of the flowers is varied, from boiling white to crimson. In different types of spirea, the inflorescences are located differently: in some throughout the shoot, in others only on the upper part of the shoot, in some only at the ends of the branches. Spiraea reproduce by dividing the bush, seeds, layering and cuttings.

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The spirea flower is used for group plantings and for hedges. Dwarf varieties of spirea are perfect for rockeries, rocky gardens and for creating living “carpets”. The spirea bush also looks great as a single plant.

Features of growing spirea

Each plant has its own requirements for planting and care.

Growing spirea also has its own characteristics:

• Spiraea prefers leaf or turf soil. Optimal composition: one part sand and peat and two parts earth;
• a drainage layer is required; broken bricks can be used;
• spirea is planted in a hole that is one third larger than the butt of the plant;
• planting depth - at least half a meter, and the root collar of the plant should be at surface level;
• Spiraea should be planted in cloudy weather, or even better, in rain. The best time is September;
• the best neighbors for spirea are juniper, spruce, and thuja.

Planting spirea

Planting spirea in spring

In the spring, only summer flowering spireas are planted. The main condition for spring planting is to do it before the leaves bloom. If you buy spirea seedlings, carefully examine the roots - they should not be overdried. Check the condition of the seedling's shoots, and buy only if they are flexible and have good buds. Match the planting material: if the roots of the seedling have grown too much, carefully shorten them; if, on the contrary, the roots are too dry or damaged, cut off the branches. If the root system is dry during storage, spill it with water or soak it briefly in a bucket of water, and only then plant it.

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Spiraea is an unpretentious plant, but for long and abundant flowering, certain conditions must still be met: the area for the spirea must be sunny, the soil must be fertile. In addition, spirea bushes produce abundant basal shoots, which increases the area occupied by the plant, and this must be taken into account when planning spirea planting.

In the photo: Spiraea blooming in the garden

So, in the area where the spirea will grow, you need to make a hole with strictly vertical walls, at least one third larger than the volume of the root system of the seedling. Then you need to let the pit stand for 2-4 days. On the day of planting (preferably in rainy or cloudy weather), you need to make a drainage layer of 15-20 cm from broken brick, especially if the soil is clayey, add 2 parts of leaf or turf soil and one part each of peat and sand to the hole, mix this mixture, lower the spirea roots into the hole, straighten them, cover them with soil up to the root collar and then compact them. Immediately after planting, the spirea is watered with one or two buckets of water and mulched with peat.

Planting spirea in autumn

In the fall, both spring-blooming spireas and late-blooming ones are planted. Typically, autumn planting is combined with planting spirea by dividing the bush. This must be done before the leaf fall ends. Spiraea that are 3-4 years old are divided and replanted; older plants can also be replanted, but this is already quite difficult to do due to the large earthen lump, which is difficult to remove and wash from the ground.

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The spirea bush needs to be dug up, covering the circumference of a little more than half of the crown projection. You will probably have to cut off a few roots, but this will not cause much harm to the plant. Then the roots of the extracted bush need to be washed well. If the plant is young and not very expanded, simply place it in a container of water and let the soil acidify and settle in the water, then rinse the roots under running water while spreading them out. Cut the bush with pruning shears into two or three parts so that each section has a good root lobe and 2-3 strong shoots. Trim the cord-like roots.

In the photo: Young spirea bush

Dig a hole, place a mound in the middle, place the seedling on the mound and smooth out the roots. Fill the hole with soil and press it onto the surface. Water the planted sections with water in several stages.

Spirea care

How to care for spirea

We have already talked about the basic requirements of spirea: bright light (although many species grow well in partial shade), loose fertile soil, good drainage and mulching with a seven-centimeter layer of peat immediately after planting. What else do you need for spirea to delight you with beautiful and long-lasting flowering?

Since spirea has a shallow root system, it does not tolerate dry soil well and begins to dry out, so it needs moderate watering in the dry season: 15 liters of water per bush twice a month. Loosening the soil mandatory, as well as regular weeding. Fertilizing spirea is carried out with complex mineral fertilizer after pruning the bush, and in the middle of summer it would be good fertilize I use spirea with mullein solution with the addition of superphosphate at the rate of 10 g per 10 liters of solution.

In the photo: Beautiful spirea leaves

Of the pests, the most annoying ones are aphids and spider mites. The mite is destroyed by karbofos, and the aphid by the drug Pirimor. But for the most part, spirea are not susceptible to diseases, and pests cannot cause much harm to their beauty and reduce the decorative qualities of spirea.

Spirea pruning

Bushes tend to grow, so you have to trim them from time to time. In early flowering ones, since flowering occurs along the entire length of the shoot, only the tips that have frozen over the winter are cut off annually, but after 7-14 years, all old shoots are removed from the bushes, that is, the plant is cut almost to the stump, so that later from the very 5-6 strong shoots of young shoots to form a new bush, removing the remaining shoots during the growing season. After a year or two, weak or old shoots are again removed from the bush. At the ends of the shoots, pruning should be done in the spring, before the leaves bloom; sanitary pruning of old shoots can also be done in the spring, or in the summer.

Summer-blooming spireas are pruned annually in early spring. It is necessary to shorten the shoot to large buds; it is better to remove weak and small shoots altogether. The stronger the pruning, the more powerful the shoots grow. It is necessary to remove aging shoots in time, otherwise they begin to dry out on their own. When the bush is four years old, you can cut the bush annually to a height of 30 cm from the ground, but if after this the spirea produces weak growth, you should think about replacing the bush, although on average late-flowering spirea species live 15-20 years.

In the photo: Growing spirea in open ground

Reproduction of spirea

Spiraea reproduce, in addition to dividing the bush, by seeds, cuttings and layering. Multiply seeds You can only grow spirea that are not hybrids, since spirea seeds still do not retain varietal qualities. But the cutting method brings very good results - over 70% of cuttings take root even without the use of growth stimulants. Early flowering spirea are cut in the first half of June, late flowering ones - in the second half of June or July. Lignified cuttings are rooted in the fall, in September-October.

Cut a straight annual shoot, cut it into pieces so that each has 5-6 leaves. Remove the lower leaves on each cutting along with the petioles, cut the remaining leaves into half a leaf and place the cuttings in Epin solution for half a day (1 ml per 2 liters of water). Then powder the lower node of the cutting with the Kornevin stimulator and plant it in a pot in damp sand at an angle of 30-45º. Cover the cuttings with glass or film. Place the container with the cuttings in the shade and spray them with water two to three times a day. When frost sets in, dig the cuttings into the garden bed, cover them with leaves, place an inverted box on top and leave until spring. When the cuttings produce new shoots next year, they can be planted in a permanent place.

In the photo: Drops of water on spirea leaves

When breeding layering The shoot is placed in a groove dug in the ground, pinned and covered with earth. If you want to get several new shoots, then the top of the cuttings needs to be pinched, then each side bud can produce a shoot. In the fall, the cuttings are carefully removed and divided into regrown shoots, which are planted.

Spiraea after flowering

As has already been said many times, caring for spirea is not difficult, including in terms of preparing the plant for the dormant period. Almost all types and varieties of spirea tolerate cold well, but if the winter is very frosty, and most importantly, snowless, you can take care of the plant by covering the roots of the bush for the winter with a layer of foliage of 10-15 cm. In any case, this does not make the spirea worse will.

Types and varieties of spirea

Some species and varieties of spirea are often used in cultivation, others - occasionally. According to the time of flowering, spirea are divided into spring-flowering and summer-flowering.

Spring-blooming spirea

They are distinguished not only by their early flowering, but also by the fact that they are characterized by flowers of different shades of exclusively white color, which bloom on last year’s shoots. Flowering begins only in the second year of the shoot’s life. These spirea are characterized by strong tillering. The following types are popular in culture:

Spiraea x cinerea

It is a hybrid of Spiraea St. John's wort and whitish-gray - in fact, it is a white spirea, and it is called gray because of the color of the leaves. The bush reaches a height of 180 cm, drooping branches, lanceolate gray-green leaves with gray undersides, corymbose inflorescences of white flowers located along the entire length of the branch. Blooms from mid-May to mid-June. Most popular variety:

The diameter and height of the bush of this variety is 1.5-2 m, drooping branches, spreading crown, red-brown branches, flowers up to 1 cm in diameter, snow-white, double, collected in umbrellas. The plant is a honey plant, blooms for up to 45 days, starting from the second year;

In the photo: Gray spirea (Spiraea x cinerea)

Spiraea Vanhouttei (Spiraea × vanhouttei)

A hybrid of Cantonese and three-lobed spirea is a huge bush with a diameter and height of up to 2 m, drooping branches, serrated leaves, bare, three-lobed, dark green above, bluish below, turning red-orange in autumn. Numerous hemispherical inflorescences consist of white flowers up to 0.6 cm in diameter and are located along the entire length of the branch. Blooms in mid-June, sometimes blooms again in August;

In the photo: Spirea Vanhouttei (Spiraea × vanhouttei

Spiraea nipponica

In nature, it grows on the island of Honshu, reaches a height of 2 m, the crown is spherical, dense, the branches are horizontal, the leaves are green until late autumn, up to 4.5 cm in length, blooms up to three weeks from the beginning of June with corymbose inflorescences consisting of yellow-green flowers up to 1 cm in diameter, and the flowers in the bud are purple;

In the photo: Nippon spirea (Spiraea nipponica)

Spiraea × arguta

The earliest spring-blooming spirea. A spreading bush 1.5-2 m in height has a very beautiful shape, drooping flowering branches, like a foamy waterfall, consisting of numerous snow-white fragrant flowers, flowing along the entire length of the branches. Arguta blooms for three weeks from the end of May.

In the photo: Spiraea × arguta

Summer flowering

These are species in which inflorescences form at the ends of young shoots and in which old, last year's shoots gradually dry out, and are represented primarily by varieties of Japanese spirea. This is a pink spirea in most of its varieties, but sometimes it is a red or red-pink spirea. So:

Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica)

A very beautiful shrub with tomentose-pubescent shoots when they are young, and bare when they grow old. The bush is 1-1.5 m high, the leaves are oblong, ovate, bluish below, green above, yellow, red, purple in autumn. Japanese spirea blooms for up to 45 days with red-pink flowers collected in paniculate-corymbose inflorescences located at the ends of the shoots. The most popular varieties:

– a shrub only 0.6 m high, crown diameter 1.2 m, rounded crown, oval, dark green leaves, corymbose inflorescences consist of red-pink flowers 3-4 cm in diameter, blooms in June-July, grows very slowly ;

In the photo: Japanese Spiraea Little Princess (Spiraea japonica)

– a variety of the previous variety, differs from it in that it grows in height up to 1 m and its leaves are yellow in color;

In the photo: Japanese spirea Golden princesses (Spiraea japonica)

– a low shrub (0.6-0.8 m), but the crown diameter is 1.2 m, the leaves are narrow-lanceolate, dark green, small (2 cm). White or pink flowers bloom in July or August;

In the photo: Japanese spirea Shirobana (Spiraea japonica)

Spiraea japonica Goldflame– height 0.8 m, yellow-orange leaves become bright yellow over time, then green-yellow, and in autumn - copper-orange. The flowers are red-pink, small;