Spirea arguta is a plant that is native to Asia and northern China. It is a deciduous shrub that can grow to be about 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide. The leaves of the spirea arguta are ovate shaped and are a green color. The flowers of the spirea arguta are white and they grow in clusters. The spirea arguta blooms in the summertime.
Related plant:
Spirea Japonica Anthony Waterer
Related plant:
Reeves Spirea
About soil condition, Spirea arguta prefers well-drained soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. It is adaptable to a range of soil types, but sandy or loamy soils are best. The plant is relatively drought-tolerant once established, but regular watering during extended periods of hot, dry weather will help to keep it looking its best.
Similar to other spirea shrubs, the spirea arguta requires full sun in order to thrive. In fact, it is recommended that this shrub be given at least six hours of sunlight each day. If it does not receive enough sun, it will not produce as many flowers. Additionally, the leaves may become pale and the overall shrub may appear unhealthy.
The temperature condition that is most favorable for the growth of Spirea arguta is a temperature range between 18 to 24 degrees Celsius. This shrub is native to East Asia and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is not tolerant of high temperatures and can be damaged by temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. Spirea arguta can be found in forests, woodlands, and along roadsides in China, Japan, and Korea.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is moderate. It does not like too much moisture or too little moisture. If the humidity is too low, the leaves may start to turn brown and curl. If the humidity is too high, the leaves may start to yellow and drop off.
Discussing fertilizer, this type of plant does best with a slow-release fertilizer that is applied in early spring. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer package. When it comes to watering, the roots of these plants are very shallow. Therefore, they need to be watered regularly, especially during hot, dry periods. A good rule of thumb is to water the plants deeply once a week.
Pruning spirea arguta is best done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Cut back all of the previous year's growth to about 6 inches (15 cm) from the ground. This will encourage new growth and produce a fuller plant.
Propagation is easy from both softwood and hardwood cuttings in late spring or early summer. For hardwood cuttings, take 4- to 6-inch (10-15 cm) long cuttings from the current year's wood. For softwood cuttings, take 6- to 8-inch (15-20 cm) long cuttings from new growth. Dip the cut end of the hardwood cuttings in rooting hormone powder and place them in a propagating tray or pot filled with moist sand, perlite, or vermiculite. Softwood cuttings can be placed directly into the propagating tray or pot. Cover the tray or pot with a clear plastic bag and place it in a bright, warm location but out of direct sunlight. The cuttings will root in 4-8 weeks. Once they have rooted, harden them off for a week and then transplant them into individual pots. Softwood cuttings can be transplanted directly into the garden.
Usually, the plant growth rate studies have been conducted in Germany. In a 6-week study, the average daily growth rate was 3.8mm. In a 12-week study, the average daily growth rate was 4.2mm. In a 28-week study, the average daily growth rate was 4.5mm.
Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, leaf spot, and rust. These can be caused by several different fungi, and they often attack the plant in wet weather. The best defense against these diseases is to keep the plant healthy and to water it only at the base, so that the leaves don't stay wet. If you see any of these problems, you can treat them with a fungicide.
Source:
Garland Spirea - Spiraea x arguta | North Carolina Extension
Spirea | Home & Garden Information Center - Clemson University
Spirea/Hardhack - The North Creek Wetland - UW Bothell
