Virginia Spiraea

Botanical Name

:

Spiraea virginiana

Plant Type

:

Deciduous shrub

Seasons

:

Plant in mid to late spring or early summer; blooms in late spring to early summer

Sun Level

:

Full sun (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily)

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

60–70°F (15–21°C)

Soil Type

:

Loamy, well-draining soil

Hardiness Zones

:

5–9 (USDA)

Germination

:

14–21 days

P.H. Level

:

6.0 to 7.0

Water/Irrigation

:

Keep newly planted spirea well-watered until established; afterward, water only when the soil is dry

Fertilization

:

It is not a heavy feeder. If blooms are healthy, fertilization may not be needed. If necessary, apply a slow-release fertilizer annually in early spring

Habit

:

Upright with arching branches

Propagation

:

Seeds or division of established clumps in spring or fall

Final Plant Height

:

3–10 ft

Spread

:

2–4 ft

Flowers

:

Creamy white flowers in tightly packed bunches

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Uses

:

Ornamental, erosion control, rain gardens

Companions

:

Coneflowers (Echinacea), ferns, ornamental grasses

Pruning

:

After flowering, prune by cutting stems back, leaving at least five buds per stem. Remove suckers, thin out the middle branches for better air circulation, and tidy up the plant

Toxicity

:

Generally non-toxic to humans and animals

Pests

:

Aphids, slugs, snails

Diseases

:

Resistant to Phytophthora root rot

Confused With

:

Other Spiraea species, occasionally mistaken for willows due to similar foliage