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Common Name: Japanese spirea
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Rosaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Native Range: Japan, China
Garden Location: Kemper Center Landscape
Height: 4 to 6 feet
Spread: 5 to 7 feet
Bloom Time: June to July
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Description: Pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Air Pollution, Deer
Uses: Erosion Control
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, 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 on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Japanese spirea is a dense, upright, mounded, deciduous shrub which typically grows 4-6' tall with a slightly larger spread. Leaves (to 3" long) are oval and sharply toothed. Features numerous tiny pink flowers in flat-topped clusters (corymbs) in late spring to mid-summer. Foliage may turn attractive shades of red and orange in autumn, but this usually does not occur on a regular basis. Attractive to butterflies. Species is uncommonly sold by nurseries because of the availability of numerous cultivars which are considered to be superior landscape plants. Most cultivars grow smaller (2-4' tall).
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.
Garden Uses
Borders, cottage gardens or informal hedge. Incorporates well into foundation plantings.