Maintenance Landscaping Design

Spiraea little princess is a plant that is native to China and Japan. It is a deciduous shrub that typically grows to be about 2-3 feet tall and wide. The leaves of the plant are ovate shaped and are dark green in color. The flowers of the plant are white and bloom in the summer.

Also known as

• Blushing bride
  
• Mountain spiraea
  
• False ginseng
  
• Fairy fanflower
  
• Pink princess

Good to Know

• Spiraea little princess is a shrub that can reach up to 5 m in height.
  
• It has small, dark green leaves and white or pink flowers.
  
• The flowers appear in clusters and bloom from May to June.
  
• Spiraea little princess is native to Europe, Asia and North America.
  
• It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks.
  
• The shrub is relatively easy to care for and is tolerant of most soil types.
  
• It prefers locations that receive full sunlight but can also grow in partial shade.
  
• Spiraea little princess is susceptible to a range of pests and diseases, including powdery mildew, leaf spot and aphids.
  
• Regular pruning is necessary to maintain the shrub's shape and encourage new growth.
  
• The flowers of spiraea little princess are often used in cut flower arrangements.

Related plant:
Spiraea Grefsheim

Planting Process

1. For spiraea little princess, first step is to find a good location. The plant prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade.
   
2. Prepare the soil by adding organic matter such as compost or manure.
   
3. Choose a planting site that has good drainage.
   
4. Dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the plant’s container.
   
5. Remove the plant from its container and gently loosen the roots.
   
6. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil.
   
7. Water the plant deeply at planting time.
   
8. Apply a layer of mulch around the plant to help retain moisture and control weeds.
   
9. Fertilize the plant once a year with a balanced fertilizer.
   
10. Prune spiraea little princess in late winter to early spring to promote new growth.

Related plant:
Spiraea Betulifolia Tor

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, the best thing for Spiraea little princess is well-drained soil. If your soil is too heavy, try to improve it by mixing in some organic matter. The plant does not like to have "wet feet," so make sure the soil is not soggy. If you have a problem with drainage, you may need to create a raised bed for your plant.

About light

Similar to other members of its family, the Spiraea Little Princess requires a fair amount of sun to remain healthy. It should have at least six hours of sunlight every day, though it can tolerate a little less. The plant will also do well in partial shade, but it may not produce as many flowers in these conditions.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature conditions that are best for spiraea little princess are cool to cold temperatures. This plant does not like it when the temperature gets too hot. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. If the temperature gets too hot, the leaves of the spiraea little princess will start to turn yellow and the flowers will start to fade.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is moist soil but not waterlogged. It is best to place the plant in an area with good drainage to avoid root rot. It is also important to mist the leaves regularly to prevent them from turning brown and crisp.

The Fertilizer

Regarding fertilizer, this family of plant is noted for being heavy feeders. A good rule of thumb is to use 1/2 the amount recommended on the fertilizer package. Withholding fertilizer will result in fewer, but larger flowers. It's best to feed them heavily in early spring, then taper off as the season progresses. When it comes to the roots, they are relatively shallow and need to be kept moist. Be sure to water regularly and deeply. If the plant is allowed to dry out, it will quickly wilt and die.

About light

Pruning your Spiraea little princess correctly will ensure healthy growth and prevent the plant from becoming overgrown. To prune, start by removing any dead or damaged branches. Next, cut back any branches that are growing out of shape. Finally, cut back any branches that are crowding or rubbing against other branches.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is best by seed in the spring, or by softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer. Sow seed on the surface of a moist, well-drained seed-starting mix and press down gently. Water with a fine mist sprayer and keep moist during germination which takes about 21-30 days. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 4-inch pots. Cuttings can be taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to take 4-6 inch cuttings from the tips of the stems. Strip off the lower leaves and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in a 4-inch pot filled with a moist, well-drained seed-starting mix. Water with a fine mist sprayer and keep the cutting moist until roots have developed and new growth begins, which takes about 4-6 weeks.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is about 3 to 5 inches per year. However, the growth rate may differ according to the type of Spiraea you have. The plant growth rate for Spiraea x billardii is about 12 inches per year.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are black spot, rust, and powdery mildew. These can be controlled with fungicides. Other problems include aphids, scale, and caterpillars. These can be controlled with insecticides.

Basics of Growing

• Do not forget to water your plant regularly. It is important to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
  
• Place your plant in an area that receives plenty of sunlight.
  
• Apply a balanced fertilizer to the soil once every two weeks.
  
• Pinch back the stems of your plant regularly to encourage bushiness.
  
• Deadhead spent flowers to keep your plant looking tidy.
  
• Avoid overwatering, which can lead to fungal problems.
  
• Cut back the plant hard in late winter to promote new growth in the spring.
  
• Protect your plant from strong winds, which can damage the delicate flowers.
  
• Be on the lookout for signs of aphids, which can infest the plant and damage the flowers.
  
• Keep an eye out for any other problems, such as leaf spot or powdery mildew, and take action to control them as needed.

Related Plants

• Spiraea x billardii "big bill"
  
• Spiraea x billardii "little bill"
  
• Spiraea x cinerea "little princess"
  
• Spiraea x douglasii "little princess"
  
• Spiraea x douglasii "minnehaha"
  
• Spiraea x douglasii "princess margaret"
  
• Spiraea x douglasii "princess of wales"
  
• Spiraea x douglasii "queen elizabeth"
  
• Spiraea x douglasii "shirley anne"
  
• Spiraea x douglasii "van houtte spirea"

Source:
JC Raulston Arboretum - Our Plants - Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess'
Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess' habit: UIPLANTS
Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess' habit: UIPLANTS