Spirea is a genus of over 80 herbaceous shrubs in the rose family (Rosaceae) that are native to the Northern hemisphere of North America and Asia. The Genus name comes from the Greek word speira, meaning wreath in reference to the showy flower clusters seen on most shrubs in the genus. Spireas can grow from 2 to 10 feet tall, depending on the species. They generally do best receiving 6 hours or more of sun and tend to prefer well-drained amended soils. Those that bloom on old wood should be pruned after flowering, and those that bloom on new wood can be pruned in the fall or at any time. Some species spread by suckers. Many have showy clusters of spring flowers in white, pink or red and some have yellow fall color giving them three seasons of interest. Use the more ornamental of the spireas in a foundation planting, in a native of pollinator garden, as a hedge or in Asian or cottage gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally problems free but watch for aphids, spider mites, and scale, and diseases such as powdery mildew, fire blight, and leaf spot
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Lobed; Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Many have fairly small leaves that are opposite on the stem and spiral up the stems. Margins vary and can be toothed or lobed. They can be 1 to 4 inches long and usually lanceolate.
Flower color
Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Corymb; Panicle
Flower detail
Flowers are usually in clusters of corymbs or panicles, with individual flowers having five sepals and five petals that are usually longer than the sepals and many stamens. Colors are white, pink, or reddish and they bloom in spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Aggregate; Follicle
Fruit detail
The fruit is an aggregate of follicles that appear as small, dry, brown pods in clusters.
Bark color
Dark Brown
Bark detail
The bark is often brown and smooth.
Stem detail
Stems are slender, zig-zag, brown, and glabrous.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Many are host plants to several moths. The flowers attract pollinators.
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Aggregate; Follicle
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Cottage Garden; Native Garden; Pollinator Garden