How to Grow Grefsheim Spirea - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Grefsheim spirea is a beautiful flowering shrub that is native to China. It grows to a height of 3-6 feet and has a spreading habit. The leaves are ovate-shaped and have a toothed margin. They are dark green in color and turn reddish-purple in the fall. The flowers are white, five-petaled, and borne in clusters. They bloom in late spring to early summer. The fruit is a black, round drupe.

How to Grow Grefsheim Spirea - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • Grefsheim Spirea
  • Grefsheim's Spirea
  • Grefsheim's Smokebush
  • Grefsheim's Snowberry
  • Grefsheim's Snowball

Basic info

  • Grefsheim Spirea is a beautiful, deciduous shrub.
  • It is native to Korea and China.
  • It grows best in full sun to partial shade.
  • It prefers moist, well-drained soils.
  • It blooms in late spring to early summer.
  • The flowers are white and borne in showy, flat-topped clusters.
  • The foliage is dark green and finely toothed.
  • It is a fast grower and can reach up to 6 feet tall and wide.
  • It is an excellent choice for hedges, screens, and foundation plantings.
  • It is relatively low maintenance and is resistant to deer and rabbits.

Related plant:
Spiraea Grefsheim

How to Grow

  1. For grefsheim spirea, first step is to plant the sapling in a pot or any other container.
  2. The container must have a drainage hole at the bottom to allow water to drain out.
  3. Fill the container with planting mix or any other well-drained soil.
  4. Water the soil moderately and keep it moist.
  5. Place the pot in a sunny location.
  6. Apply a balanced fertilizer once in a month during the growing season.
  7. To encourage blooming, prune the plant after it flowers.
  8. In winter, keep the plant indoors in a cool location.
  9. Once the plant is well established, transplant it into the ground.
  10. Water it regularly and fertilize it as required.

Related plant:
Spirea Grefsheim

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, the Grefsheim Spirea prefers well-drained, fertile soil with consistent moisture. Sandy or loamy soil that is high in organic matter is ideal. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with organic matter to improve drainage. This shrub is adaptable to a range of soil pH levels, from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline. It is also tolerant of salt.

Light condition

Just like other Spirea shrubs, the Grefsheim Spirea requires full sun to produce the best blooms. This means that it should be planted in an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. While the plant can tolerate some shade, it will not bloom as profusely in shadier locations. So, if you want your Grefsheim Spirea to really put on a show, make sure to give it plenty of sun.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition of the Grefsheim Spirea is suitable for growth in zones four through eight. The average yearly temperature for this area is sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit. The Grefsheim Spirea prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant : The grefsheim spirea prefers moderate to high humidity, and does best in an environment that is not too dry. If the air around the plant is too dry, the leaves will begin to drop and the flowers will wilt. To improve the humidity around the plant, you can mist it daily, or set the pot on a pebble tray.

Fertilizer Requirement

For the fertilizer, this plant does best with a balanced fertilizer that is applied in early spring. A 10-10-10 fertilizer is a good option. Apply the fertilizer according to the package directions. For the roots, this plant does best in moist, well-drained soil. If the soil is too dry, the roots will not be able to properly uptake water and nutrients.

About light

Pruning is an important part of keeping your grefsheim spirea healthy and vigorous. This shrub should be pruned in early spring before new growth begins. Cut back any dead or diseased wood and thin out the plant to promote air circulation. Cut back any shoots that are longer than 12 inches.

The Propagation

Propagation is typically done by softwood cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and have several leaves. Remove the bottom leaves and dip the cuttings in rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in a well-drained potting mix and keep them moist. They should root within 4-6 weeks.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is considered slow to medium. However, with proper care, this spirea can reach its full potential quickly. This shrub can grow anywhere from one to three feet per year.Prune this spirea in late winter to early spring to ensure the best possible growth.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew and black spot. These can be controlled with proper cultural practices and by using fungicides. Another problem that can occur is root rot, which can be caused by too much moisture around the roots.

Basics of Growing

  • Remember to plant your grefsheim spirea in an area that receives full sun.
  • This shrub does best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
  • Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart when planting.
  • Grefsheim spirea can be pruned in early spring to shape the plant and encourage new growth.
  • Be sure to water regularly, especially during periods of drought.
  • Fertilize your shrub in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
  • To help prevent powdery mildew, avoid getting the foliage wet when watering.
  • These shrubs are relatively pest and disease resistant, but watch for aphids and scale.
  • Grefsheim spirea blooms on new wood, so don’t be afraid to prune back harshly if needed.
  • This shrub is deciduous, so expect

Related Plants

  • Bridalwreath spirea
  • Vanhoutte spirea
  • Dairy Queen spirea
  • White mickey-mouse spirea
  • Blue mist spirea
  • Smoke bush
  • Hardy orange
  • Hybrid tea rose
  • Honeysuckle
  • Periwinkle

Source:
JC Raulston Arboretum - Our Plants - Spiraea ×cinerea 'Grefsheim'
Spiraea prunifolia - North Carolina State University
Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon' (Golden Thunberg's Spirea) | North …

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category