Best spirea cultivars
*Spiraea* is a genus of roughly 80--100 species of deciduous flowering shrubs in the rose family (Rosaceae). Per Missouri Botanical Garden, the genus spans from North America to Eastern Asia, with most garden cultivars derived from East Asian species. They divide cleanly into two bloom categories:.
Spiraea is a genus of roughly 80—100 species of deciduous flowering shrubs in the rose family (Rosaceae). Per Missouri Botanical Garden, the genus spans from North America to Eastern Asia, with most garden cultivars derived from East Asian species. They divide cleanly into two bloom categories: spring-blooming (on old wood, white-flowered) and summer-blooming (on new wood, typically pink to rose).
I don't grow spirea at my place in Melville, Long Island — they're common in the neighborhood but the deer browse them regularly. What follows is sourced from Cooperative Extension and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
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Spring-blooming spireas (bloom on old wood)
Spring-blooming spireas set flower buds on the previous season's stems. Prune them immediately after flowering, not in fall or early spring, or you cut off the blooms.
Spiraea thunbergii (Thunberg's spirea)
One of the earliest shrubs to bloom in late winter to early spring — typically late February to March in zone 6—7 — S. thunbergii produces small white flowers along graceful arching stems before the leaves fully emerge. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, it is hardy in zones 4—8 and reaches 3—5 feet tall by 4—6 feet wide.
Cultivar: 'Ogon' (also sold as 'Mellow Yellow') — golden-yellow foliage through summer, orange-red in fall; same bloom habit as the species; per NC State Extension, one of the best foliage spireas for four-season interest.
The pruners we use every day
The Felco F-2 is the gold standard — cuts up to 1-inch branches cleanly, every part replaceable, will outlast you. Read our full pick.
Spiraea × vanhouttei (Bridal wreath spirea)
The classic arching white spirea. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, this hybrid between S. trilobata and S. cantoniensis reaches 6—8 feet tall by 10—12 feet wide, with cascading white bloom clusters in May. Hardy zones 3—8. The sheer size and arching habit make it a specimen or back-of-border shrub, not a foundation plant.
'Renaissance' is a disease-resistant selection with improved mildew resistance; per Illinois Extension, it blooms slightly later than the straight species, which can help it avoid late frosts in zone 4.
Spiraea prunifolia (Bridalwreath spirea)
Distinct from S. × vanhouttei despite sharing a common name. S. prunifolia produces double white flowers (resembling tiny buttonhole roses) tightly clustered along upright stems, then brilliant orange-red fall foliage. Per Clemson HGIC, it is hardy in zones 4—8 and reaches 4—9 feet tall. Less commonly sold than vanhouttei but worth seeking out for the fall color alone.