| Common Name | Spiraea, cultivar dependent e.g. bridal wreath, bridewort |
| Genus | Spiraea |
| Species | Various (e.g., S. prunifolia, S. × vanhouttei, S. salicifolia) |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Life Cycle | Hardy Deciduous Shrub |
| Format | 4" pots |
| Plug Care | Plant young shrubs promptly upon arrival. Plants should be dormant and can withstand cold temperatures - if the plants have broken dormancy and below freezing temperatures are forecasted, protect tender new growth. Keep soil evenly moist but well-drained until established; water regularly while new roots are developing and during periods with no rain. |
| Netting / Staking | Not required; stems are generally sturdy for cutting. Some varieties have a natural arch to the stem (Bridal Wreath) and others have straight stems (S. salicifolia Pink Innocence) but none require staking. |
| Hardiness | Hardy across most cultivars - commonly hardy throughout USDA Zones 4 to 8 - tolerant of both cool winters and warm summers if not overly hot/humid. |
| Spacing | 4 to 8 feet apart depending on cultivar; for cutting production space to allow adequate airflow around plants to reduce foliar disease pressure and access for ease of harvest. Closer spacing will develop into a hedge, further spacing will result in shrubs that can be harvested from all sides. Pink Innocence can be more closely spaced - Bridal Wreath should be further spaced. |
| Soil Preference | Thrives in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soils; tolerates clay and some drought once established. |
| Sun Requirement | Can tolerate some light shade, but the best performance will be in direct sun. Shade will negatively affect bloom quantity and quality. |
| Pruning | Prune immediately after flowering to shape and encourage next year’s blooms (most varieties bloom on old wood). If you harvest late in the season after new growth has matured, you will be cutting off next year's flowers. |
| When to Plant | Plant in spring swiftly upon arrival. If the plant is still dormant it can withstand below freezing temperatures. If it has broken dormancy, tender new growth needs protection from frost cloth. |
| Harvesting | Harvest during spring flush when clusters of buds are showing color but before full bloom for best vase performance. |
| Post Harvest Care | Remove lower leaves, recut stems and place into very clean, cool water with floral preservative. Change water regularly and re-cut stems every few days; keep stems chilled in a cooler when possible to maximize vase life. |
| Diseases / Insects | Generally trouble-free with occasional aphid or fungal issues in poor air circulation; prune after bloom to maintain plant health and vigor. |
| Bailey's Notes |
Spiraea ‘Bridal Wreath’ (Spiraea x Vanhouttei) This is the traditional Bridal Wreath spiraea that has been a staple in gardens for decades. It can grow quite large upon maturity – about 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, with loads of elegantly arching branches for cutting. If branches are cut when the buds are full but not quite open, they will continue to open in the vase. These branches are incredible for adding movement to spring arrangements but can be used in mixed bunches and anywhere else a spray of fresh spring-flowering branches is required. This variety has withstood the test of time, and although some might regard it as ‘old fashioned’, it is timeless in its beauty and usefulness. (Don’t forget, some people think pansies, lily of the valley and peonies are also ‘Old Fashioned’….) These shrubs are very hardy, down to USDA zone 3 and up to zone 8 and can be kept in check by pruning them back after the flowering period is over. Spiraea ‘Renaissance’ This is a slightly more modern cultivar of the Bridal Wreath spiraea – it looks almost the same and has an extremely similar growth habit to the traditional x Vanhouttei cultivar but is noted to be even more disease tolerant. The cascading branches are absolutely smothered in pure white flowers come mid-spring. This cultivar is a little smaller, at approximately 6 feet in height and width. As with all Bridal Wreath Spiraea, you can prune the shrub back right after flowering, and new growth will develop shortly after for flowers the next season. These are extremely hardy, easy-going shrubs that will reward you with armloads of cut stems. Spiraea ‘Magical Pink Innocence’ This is an interesting and unique new cultivar of spiraea introduced by our friends at Kolster. Strong, straight stems are loaded in clusters of spherical buds. Cut when the buds at the end of the branch have opened to show the perfect shade of light pink but the rest of the buds remain closed. These stems add a very unique light, airy and fuffy texture to early summer arrangements. This is a new introduction for the US markets, so by growing these you are really setting yourself apart from other growers – your florists and customers will appreciate the unique new product. The plants themselves only get about 3-4 feet tall and wide and are hardy and easy going making them very manageable in the field. |
| Resources | NA |