Maintenance Landscaping Design

Pink spirea is a popular landscape shrub that is prized for its abundant clusters of pink flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. This tough and easy-to-grow shrub is a good choice for beginners as it is very forgiving.

Popular name

• Japanese Spiraea
  
• Brideweed
  
• Dropwort
  
• Meadowsweet
  
• Queen of the Prairie

Things to Know

• Pink Spirea is a deciduous shrub that is native to East Asia.
  
• It typically grows to be about 3-4 feet tall, but can reach up to 6 feet.
  
• It has dark green leaves and clusters of pink flowers that bloom in late spring or early summer.
  
• Pink Spirea is low-maintenance and easy to care for.
  
• It is tolerant of a variety of soil types and prefers full sun to partial shade.
  
• It is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
  
• It is pest- and disease-resistant.
  
• It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
  
• It can be used as a hedge, in mass plantings, or as an accent plant.
  
• It is deer-resistant.

Related plant:
Buddleja Davidii Pink Delight

How to Grow

1. For pink spirea, first step is to prepare the soil. The soil should be loose and well-drained.
   
2. Add organic matter to the soil to help with drainage.
   
3. Place the pink spirea plant in the planting hole.
   
4. Backfill the planting hole with soil.
   
5. Firm the soil around the plant.
   
6. Water the plant well.
   
7. Apply a layer of mulch around the plant.
   
8. Pink spirea should be fertilized in early spring.
   
9. Prune the plant in late winter to early spring.
   
10. Pink spirea is generally resistant to diseases and pests.

Related plant:
Pink Camellia Flower

Soil Condition

About soil condition, pink spirea grows best in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. However, it is adaptable to a variety of soil types as long as the soil is not allowed to dry out. It also does well in partial shade.

Light condition

Like the other shrubs, spirea shrubs require full sun to produce the most blooms. If your spirea isn't getting enough sun, it may not bloom at all. In general, spirea shrubs need at least six hours of sun each day to produce an abundance of blooms. If you're not sure how much sun your spirea is getting, try moving it to a sunnier location and see if that makes a difference.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for pink spirea is temperate. This means that the plant should be kept in an environment that is not too hot or too cold. The ideal temperature for pink spirea is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity drops below 40%, the plant will start to suffer. The leaves will become dry and brittle, and the flowers will lose their color. If the humidity gets too high, the plant will start to get moldy.

Fertilizing

For the fertilizer, usually the plant doesn't need much. A little bit of compost or manure added to the soil in the spring is really all that is necessary. As for the roots, they are very strong and can easily handle being transplanted.

Plant Pruning

Pruning your pink spirea is important to keeping the plant healthy and looking its best. The best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Depending on the size and shape of your plant, you may need to prune it more than once a year. When pruning, be sure to cut back any dead or damaged branches, as well as any that are crossing or rubbing against each other.

The Propagation

Propagation is usually done by seed, but it can also be done by softwood or hardwood cuttings. To propagate by seed, sow the seed in a well-drained seed-starting mix in spring. To propagate by cuttings, take 6- to 8-inch cuttings from softwood or hardwood stems in spring or early summer.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is considered to be fast. This plant can reach a height of six feet and a width of eight feet in just two to three years. If you want a bushier plant, you can prune it back by about one-third in the spring.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew and rust. These problems can be controlled by spraying the plants with a fungicide. If the plants are too badly infected, they should be removed and destroyed.

Growing Tips

• If you want to encourage your spirea to grow pink flowers, make sure to plant it in an area that receives full sun.
  
• Spirea prefers well-drained soil, so be sure to amend your soil before planting if necessary.
  
• When planting spirea, be sure to space the plants about 18 inches apart.
  
• Spirea is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but you should still water it regularly (about once a week) during the first growing season.
  
• Fertilize your spirea once a year in the spring using a slow-release fertilizer.
  
• To encourage bushier growth, you can prune spirea in late winter or early spring.
  
• Spirea is generally a very pest- and disease-resistant plant, but aphids can occasionally be a problem. Watch for these pests and treat with an insecticidal soap if necessary.

Substitution

• Spirea burnatii
  
• Spirea callosa
  
• Spirea coronaria
  
• Spirea florida
  
• Spirea hypericifolia
  
• Spirea japonica+
  
• Spirea latifolia
  
• Spirea nipponica+
  
• Spirea obtusa
  
• Spirea salicifolia
  

Source:
‘Anthony Waterer’ Pink Spirea - University of Florida
Spirea | East Asian Plants: A Cultural and Horticultural Guide
Anthony Waterer Spirea