Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Remove faded flower clusters as practicable (light shearing is an option) to encourage additional bloom. Flowers appear on old wood, so prune each year as needed immediately after flowering.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Spiraea hypericifolia, commonly called Iberian spirea, is a compact, small-leaved, deciduous shrub with upright spreading branches that typically grows to 3-5’ tall. It is native to open forests, thickets, dry sunny slopes in southeastern Europe (area formerly known as Iberia), central and southwesten Asia, China, Mongolia and Russia (Siberia). It has escaped gardens and naturalized in parts of the state of Mississippi. Oblong-obovate to obovate-lanceolate leaves (to 7/8” long) have cuneate bases and obtuse to acute apices. Small, 5-stellate, white flowers in dense clusters (umbels of 5-10) cover the foliage in late spring (May-June). Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Flowers give way to follicles. Although species plants may be difficult to locate in commerce in the U.S., Spiraea hypericifolia subsp. obovata is more commonly available.
Genus name comes from the Greek word speira meaning wreath in reference to the showy flower clusters seen on most shrubs in the genus.
Specific epithet means resembling the leaves (foliata) of some species in the genus Hypericum.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to many of the diseases and insects that attack other rose family members, including leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew, root rot, aphids, leaf roller and scale.
Uses
Mass or group in shrub borders. Low hedge for paths and walkways. Incorporates well into foundation plantings. Butterfly gardens.