Maintenance Landscaping Design

Spirea bumalda is a beautiful shrub that is perfect for adding a splash of color to any landscape. This shrub is covered in small, pink flowers that bloom in the spring and summer. The foliage is dark green and the shrub can reach up to 6 feet tall.

Alternative name

• Japanese spiraea
  
• Allegheny spiraea
  
• Spirea alba
  
• Spirea betulifolia
  
• Spirea capitata

Basic info

• Spirea bumalda is a flowering plant in the rose family.
  
• It is native to East Asia, in China, Japan, and Korea.
  
• It is a deciduous shrub that typically grows to 3–6 feet tall and wide.
  
• The leaves are ovate to elliptical, 2–4 inches long, and have toothed margins.
  
• The flowers are borne in corymbs of 5-15 blooms, each flower having five white petals.
  
• The flowers are followed by round, red fruits.
  
• Spirea bumalda is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
  
• It is tolerant of a wide range of soils and growing conditions.
  
• It is disease and pest resistant.
  
• It is relatively low maintenance.

Related plant:
Spirea Japonica Anthony Waterer

Growing Steps

1. For spirea bumalda, first step is to identify the plant.
   
2. Then, prepare the soil by tilling it to a depth of 8 inches.
   
3. Next, add organic matter to the soil such as compost or manure.
   
4. After that, make sure the soil is moist but not soggy wet.
   
5. Then, take your spirea bumalda plant and gently loosen the root ball.
   
6. Next, plant the spirea bumalda at the same depth it was growing in its pot.
   
7. Firm the soil around the plant.
   
8. Water the plant deeply.
   
9. Place the plant in an area that receives full sun.
   
10. Apply a fertilizer according to the package directions.

Related plant:
Spirea Thunbergii

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, Spirea bumalda can grow in any type of soil as long as it is well drained. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It is not tolerant of wet or heavy soils.

About light

Just like other Spirea shrubs, the Spirea bumalda prefers full sun to partial sun locations in the garden. 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day is ideal, but it will still do well with as little as 4 hours of sunlight. This shrub can also tolerate some shade, but it may not flower as profusely.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for spirea bumalda is a cool to cold climate. This plant is native to China, Japan, and Korea and thrives in areas that experience cool to cold weather conditions for a good portion of the year. These areas typically have average winter temperatures of -15 to -10 degrees Celsius and average summer temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soils.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40 and 60%. If the humidity is too high, the leaves of the plant will start to turn yellow and fall off. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will become dry and brittle.

Fertilizer Requirement

Regarding fertilizer, this kind of plant doesn't need a lot. In fact, too much nitrogen will result in fewer flowers. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in early spring is all that's needed. Spirea bumalda has a shallow root system, so be careful not to damage the roots when working in the area.

About light

Pruning spirea bumalda is a simple task that can be done in late winter or early spring. This shrub blooms on new wood, so pruning it will encourage more growth and more flowers. To prune, simply remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Then, cut back any long or leggy branches to encourage a more compact shrub.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of spirea bumalda is typically done through softwood or hardwood cuttings taken from the new growth of the season. The cuttings should be taken from healthy, non-flowering stems and should be 4-6 inches in length. The cuttings should be placed in a well-drained potting mix and kept moist until rooted. Once rooted, the spirea can be transplanted into its permanent location.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is fast, with a typicalstem elongation rate of around 3.5 inches (9 cm) per year. However, there can be considerable variation in growth rate between different cultivars and even between different plants of the same cultivar. A few factors that can affect growth rate include plant nutrition, water availability, and temperatures during the growing season.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are aphids, caterpillars, and slugs. If you notice any of these pests on your plant, you should take immediate action to remove them. You can do this by hand or with a pesticide. Be sure to follow the instructions on the pesticide label.

Basics of Growing

• If possible, choose a planting site that receives full sun. Spirea bumalda will tolerate some shade, but it will flower best in full sun.
  
• Spirea bumalda is a moderately drought-tolerant plant once it is established, but it will flower best with regular watering.
  
• This plant is adaptable to a variety of soil types, but it will perform best in well-drained, slightly acidic soils.
  
• Spirea bumalda is a fast-growing plant, so it will need to be pruned regularly to keep it in bounds.
  
• The flowers of this plant are pink or white, and they are borne in clusters. They will appear in late spring or early summer.
  
• The flowers are followed by small, dark-colored fruits. These are not edible.
  
• This plant is generally pest- and disease-free, but it can be susceptible to

You May Like

• Spirea crispa
  
• Spirea densiflora
  
• Spirea douglasii
  
• Spirea empetrifolia
  
• Spirea flavescens
  
• Spirea freyniana
  
• Spirea glabra
  
• Spirea gormanii
  
• Spirea hypericifolia
  
• Spirea japonica

Source:
UNF - UNF Landscape - Spirea x bumalda - Bumalds spirea
Bumald Spirea (Spiraea x bumalda)
Species: Spiraea x bumalda - woodyplants.cals.cornell.edu