Common Name: spirea
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Rosaceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: White flowers
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Hedge
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Good Fall
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Air Pollution
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Best with somewhat fertile soils and even moisture. Tolerates light shade. Remove faded flower clusters as practicable (light shearing is an option) to encourage additional bloom. Flowers on old wood, so prune as needed immediately after bloom. Propagate by cuttings in summer.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Spiraea media, commonly called spirea, is an upright mounded deciduous shrub that grows to 3-5’ tall and as wide. It is native to mixed forests, grassy slopes and rocky alpine regions from eastern Europe through central Asia to Japan, Siberia, China and Korea. Tiny white flowers (each to 3/8” across) in flattened, subspherical, umbel-like clusters (racemes) bloom at the tips of leafy shoots in late April-June. Branches are clad with lanceolate to oblanceolate dark green leaves leaves (to 1-2” long) which are entire or toothed at the apex. No fall color.
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 comes from the Latin word medius meaning intermediate.
‘SMSMBK’, commonly sold in commerce under the trade name of BLUE KAZOO, is a member of the DOUBLE PLAY Series of spireas (each plant in the series will have improved plant traits in at least two different areas). This cultivar is noted for having unusual but attractive blue-green foliage which is tinged with bronze when emerging in spring but eventually turns an attractive red in fall. It typically matures to a compact 2-3’ tall and as wide. U. S. Plant Patent Applied For (PPAF).
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, root rot, powdery mildew, aphids, leaf roller and scale.
Uses
Mass or group in shrub borders. Hedge for paths and walkways. Incorporates well into foundation plantings.