Spirea Fertilizing Tips
- Use a light fertilizer such as a 10-10-10.
- A granular fertilizer will feed Spirea for the entire season.
- Apply annually in the early spring.
- Avoid over fertilizing.
How to care for a Spirea plant?
Growing Tips 1 Spirea are tolerant of some shade, but full sun produces more flowers with more vibrant colors and brighter fall color. 2 Ensure your shrubs are spaced properly with adequate room to grow to maturity. 3 Avoid overfertilizing. ... 4 Deadhead flowers after blooming to tidy up plants and encourage reblooming. More items...
What is the best fertilizer for spirea?
A slow release fertilizer will feed your Spirea for the entire growing season. Established Spirea will grow best when a light fertilizer is used. A slow release type will feed your shrub the entire growing season. A balanced granular fertilizer, (10-10-10 or organic fertilizer) is recommended.
How do you plant a spirea in the shade?
The spirea shrub does best when planted in full sun or light shade. Planting the shrub in full shade results in stunted growth, and a reduction in the number and size of blooms. Position your spirea in an area with well-drained soil, as they do not like wet feet.
What shrubs go well with Spirea?
For continuous bloom throughout the growing season, grow spirea with other shrubs that bloom at different times, such as: 1 Dandy Man Color Wheel ® rhododendron 2 Interstella ® Lily of the Valley 3 Bobo ® hydrangea 4 Sunshine Blue ® bluebeard
Can you use Miracle Grow on spirea?
This method of fertilization should only be done once a year, and is best done in late fall after leaf drop, or in early spring before bud break. Liquid fertilizers (such as Miracle Gro) are mixed with water and applied the same as you would water the plant (see product for specific details).
When should I fertilize my spirea?
Spireas are not heavy feeders, so, after they have been in place for a season, start to fertilize them once every year in the fall after their leaves fall or early spring, which is better in the South. Sprinkle some all-purpose slow-acting granular fertilizer on the soil over their roots for the rain to soak in.
How do you keep spirea blooming?
Japanese spirea should be tip pruned in late winter or early spring prior to bud swell and before the shrub leafs out. Also, at this time, remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems along with those that cross each other. To keep spirea looking great and to promote blooming, trim the plant at least twice per year.
Are spirea acid loving plants?
Spireas grow in full sun to medium shade, but full sun encourages more flowers. They do best in moderately acidic soil (pH 6.0 to 6.5). If soil is too alkaline (pH over 7.0), chlorosis may cause their leaves to yellow for lack of certain soil nutrients.
Can you overwater spirea?
Make sure plantings are well watered whenever the top 4 to 6 inches of soil are moist and crumbly. Overwatering can be just as damaging. Adjust watering and see if the plants' health improves.
How do you take care of spirea bushes?
Growing TipsSpirea are tolerant of some shade, but full sun produces more flowers with more vibrant colors and brighter fall color.Ensure your shrubs are spaced properly with adequate room to grow to maturity.Avoid overfertilizing. ... Deadhead flowers after blooming to tidy up plants and encourage reblooming.More items...•
Can I cut my spirea to the ground?
To control the spirea's size and keep it blooming year after year, you should prune it back after blooming or when it's dormant in winter. If it's severely overgrown, cut it to the ground to rejuvenate the shrub.
Should you deadhead a spirea?
Pink flowering spirea should also be deadheaded. You can cut off old flowers using a pruners, hedge shears or an electric shearing tool.
When should I prune spirea shrubs?
Prune immediately after flowering, as next year's flowers will be borne on shoots produced in summer. Cut back the flowered shoots to strong new growth below, pruning to a pair of buds.
Why are my spirea dying?
Browning leaves on Spirea may be caused by Verticillium Wilt, which presents in addition to drying, curling, or wilting leaves. Yellowing leaves can be the result of over-watering or sufficient watering and poor drainage of the moisture from the soil around the roots.
How can I make my soil more acidic naturally?
8 Ways To Make Your Soil More AcidicAdd Sulphur to Your Soil. ... Add Compost to Your Soil. ... Add Leaf Mold to Your Soil. ... Buy or Make, and Add, Ericaceous Compost. ... Add a Mulch of Pine Needles. ... Add a Mulch of Cottonseed Meal. ... Use An Organic Liquid Feed on Your Garden. ... Use Acidifying Liquid Feeds Such as Vinegar/ Lemon etc.
How often should you water spirea?
Water thoroughly after planting, and keep a close eye on the plant over the following week. Then, give it a good soaking once a week during summer, unless rainfall is plentiful (more than 1in per week). Established plants can generally get by on less water, but most grow best if the soil remains evenly moist.
What are the different types of spireas?
Popular Spiraea spp. Varieties 1 Birchleaf spirea (Spiraea betulifolia): While it has some summer interest in small white flowers, the real highlight is the show this shrub puts on during the fall with purple, orange, and red shades. 2 Early Spirea (Spiraea thunbergii): Blooming early in the spring, this species offers three-season interest giving the most spectacular fall colors of purple, orange, burgundy, red and yellow. 3 Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica): This species is easily the most cultivated with endless sizes, forms, colors, and textures. One popular cultivar is 'Gold Mound'. 4 Bridal wreath spirea (Spiraea prunifolia): Bridal wreath spirea is a large species compared to other in the genus. It can reach heights up to 20 feet if not pruned back. Bridal wreath spirea is named for the beautiful wedding wreaths traditionally made from its tiny white flowers. During autumn, reds, oranges, and yellows pop out of nowhere, setting the large shrub ablaze.
What is the most popular cultivar of Japanese spirea?
Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica): This species is easily the most cultivated with endless sizes, forms, colors, and textures. One popular cultivar is 'Gold Mound'. Bridal wreath spirea (Spiraea prunifolia): Bridal wreath spirea is a large species compared to other in the genus.
How tall is Spiraea betulifolia?
Spiraea betulifolia was traditionally used both as a food and a medicine by the native Americans. 1-20 ft. Depending on Species.
What are some good flowering shrubs?
When looking for flowering shrubs, people often think about hydrangea, lilac, rhododendron or azalea, and viburnum. With its 80 or so species the genus Spiraea is quickly rising up to become a garden favorite. The species are easy to grow and maintain and there is a wide range of easily-available cultivars and hybrids on the market.
Is spirea a deer resistant plant?
Take warning, though; spirea is not deer-resistant and is occasionally a last resort snack for these animals.
Is Spirea easy to grow?
The species are easy to grow and maintain and there is a wide range of easily-available cultiva rs and hybrids on the market. Spirea offers gardeners and designers endless possibilities in color, shape, texture, and form. Depending on which spirea you choose, they could be used as groundcovers, borders, hedges, and stand-alone specimens.
Do spireas need sun?
Choosing an area that drains well and gets a fair amount of sun is essential for all spirea species. It's still important, however, to do your research when searching for a suitable species for your garden, as their care and condition requirements can vary considerably. The details below are general guidelines and not specific to any particular species.
What is the color of spirea?
Here are a few of the most commonly grown. Japanese spirea ( Spiraea japonica) has the widest color range, with foliage in shades of green, blue, gold or chartreuse. Flowers bloom from late spring into summer in colors of pink, purple, red or white.
How far apart should I plant a spirea plant?
PLANTING & CARING FOR SPIREA. How to plant: Follow these steps and space 2-15 feet apart, depending on the variety. Look to your plant’s tag for specific recommendations. Dig a hole slightly deeper than the root ball and 2 times wider. Remove the plant from the nursery pot and loosen the soil around the roots.
What color are birchleaf spireas?
Flowers bloom from late spring into summer in colors of pink, purple, red or white. Birchleaf spirea ( Spiraea betulifolia) has a dense mounding habit with white flowers and toothed birch-like green leaves. A kaleidoscope of rich fall color occurs in shades of red, orange and purple.
How do I plant a shrub in a hole?
Set the plant in the hole with the top of the root ball at or slightly above soil level. Backfill the hole with soil and tamp down slightly to remove air pockets. Water well . Mulch with a layer of shredded bark to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Learn more: How to Plant a Shrub.
Is spirea low maintenance?
It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including poor soil, heat, cold, humidity, drought and urban pollution. Not only is spirea low-maintenance, but it also attracts butterflies and other insect pollinators. These flowering shrubs’ delicate lacy flowers can be white, pink, red or mauve.
When do purple birch spireas bloom?
Purple-red flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. Use in containers, mass plantings or as a low hedge. Glow Girl ® birchleaf spirea, a gold-leafed version of ‘Tor’, is an exceptionally hardy compact variety suited to northern regions.
Is Spirea a shrub?
Spirea is one of the most commonly used landscape plants, and for good reason. This hardy deciduous shrub has captivating three-season interest, with a graceful habit, attractive foliage and flowers that bloom over a long time.
Where is the Spiraea shrub native to?
Spiraea, commonly spelled spirea, is a genus of over 80 woody shrubs in the Rosaceae (rose) family. Native to temperate zones in the Northern Hemisphere, the greatest diversity of species is found in eastern China. Named from the Greek word speira, which means spiral, it refers to their wreath-like display of showy, ...
What does a speira look like?
Named from the Greek word speira, which means spiral, it refers to their wreath-like display of showy, small flowers. Growing in grouped panicles, flat-topped corymbs, or clusters in colors of mauve, pink, red, rose, and white, each tiny flower looks like a mini apple blossom with five petals and numerous stamens.
Do shrubs need winter care?
Frost resistant, established plants don’t require any special winter care. However, new shrubs planted in late summer or fall should be mulched to protect roots from the cold. And any container plants should be moved to a sheltered location or wrapped with insulation to protect roots from freezing temperatures.
Do spireas attract butterflies?
And the color doesn’t stop in the autumn, spirea displays beautiful red foliage in the fall. Shrubs are mostly deer resistant and attract butterflies and other pollinators. Typically, plants are hardy in Zones 4-9 although some are more heat or cold tolerant.
What is a spirea shrub?
Spirea shrubs are deciduous shrubs that can be divided into two categories: spring blooming and summer blooming . The spring-blooming spirea has a delicate cascading habit with large clusters of white flowers poised on arching branches.
How tall do spirea bushes grow?
Depending on the variety, spirea bushes grow from 2 to 6 feet (0.5-2 m.) tall.
Can you trim aphids from spring bloomers?
Remove dead wood and trim canes of spring varieties to the ground. While aphids may become a problem, they are rarely serious enough to warrant treatment.
Can spirea be planted in full sun?
The spirea shrub does best when planted in full sun or light shade. Planting the shrub in full shade results in stunted growth, and a reduction in the number and size of blooms. Position your spirea in an area with well-drained soil, as they do not like wet feet.
What color is the foliage of spirea?
If your garden needs some color to offset one-note green-leafed shrubs and evergreens, the striking foliage of spirea ‘Goldflame’ provides the perfect counterpoint. In spring, the leaves are bronze-red, shifting to bright yellow-green in the summer and rich coppery orange in the fall. An explosion of rosy pink flowers in early summer stands out in vivid contrast. Also try S. japonica 'Goldmound', which has similar color-shifting foliage that emerges bright golden yellow in the spring and transitions to chartreuse in the summer and an attractive orange-red in the fall.
What is a birchleaf spirea?
Birchleaf spirea (Spiraea betulifolia): A compact, rounded shrub growing 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. White flowers appear in early to midsummer, but this spirea is at its most colorful in autumn, when the dark green, birch-like leaves turn rich shades of red, orange, and purple.
How tall is a spirea shrub?
Height and spread: 1 to 2 feet tall, 2 feet wide. This low-growing mounded spirea shrub is ideal for creating eye-catching borders that provide continual interest. In spring, the new leaves are vibrant red, gradually maturing to gold while retaining red tips at the ends of the branches.
When do spireas bloom?
This 3- to 5-foot-tall spirea is one of the first to bloom in early spring. The white umbrella-shaped flowers emerge on slender, arching branches before the finely textured pale-green foliage, which takes on yellow and orange tones in fall.
When do spireas turn red?
One of the oldest and most popular of the Japanese spireas, 'Anthony Waterer' has set the bar high for other cultivars to follow. From late spring through midsummer, it flaunts frilly 6-inch clusters of carmine-pink flowers set against a backdrop of attractive blue-green foliage. In autumn, the leaves turn attractive shades of red.
Do spireas need water?
Keep newly planted spireas well-watered until they become established. Mature spireas are drought tolerant and only need watering when the soil becomes dry. Spireas don’t like wet feet, so avoid oversaturating the soil.
What is a spirea?
The spirea is a common flowering shrub that is a favorite among landscapers. It comes in multiple varieties with leaf colors that range between green and red. The flowers of the plant include white, pink, and other variations. Spirea is easy to grow and maintain.
How wide do spireas spread?
The smaller varieties tend to have spreads that range between 18 to 24 inches, while the larger varieties can have spreads as wide as four to six feet. If you plant your spirea too close together you will impede their ability to grow and to produce flowers.
What happens if you don't deadhead spirea?
If you fail to deadhead your spirea it will contain both new blooms and wilted blooms which can severely impact its beauty. 5. Over Watering. The most common growing mistake that people make when growing spirea in their yards is over watering it.
What is deadheading spirea?
Deadheading is the process of cutting off flowers that have faded. This process isn’t a requirement for the spirea, but it can be very beneficial. Deadheading will prevent the production of seeds in the fall and can save you a lot of cleanup work.
Can you plant spireas in the shade?
However, even though it is easy to cultivate a spirea plant there are several common spirea growing mistakes that you will want to avoid. These mistakes include planting your spirea in an area of your yard that is in full shade, improper spacing, over fertilizing, over watering, and forgetting to deadhead spent flowers.
Can spireas grow in full sun?
While the spirea will tolerate partial shade it is better to plant it in full sun. Full sun plantings will produce more flowers and these flowers will have more vibrant colors. 2. Improper Spacing. Another mistake that is common when growing spirea is not providing the plants with enough space to spread out.
Do spireas need fertilizer?
The spirea does not require a lot of food to grow healthy. They only require an annual feeding of granular all-purpose fertilizer. This feeding can be done either in the fall or in early spring. To apply the fertilizer just sprinkle the granules around the base of your spirea.
