Spirea | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Rose
Family (botanic) Rosaceae
Tree or plant type Shrub
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Low-growing shrub (under 3 feet), Small shrub (3-5 feet)
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Other tolerances Occasional drought
Season of interest late spring, early summer
Flower color and fragrance White
Shape or form Multi-stemmed, Round, Upright
Growth rate Moderate

Size and Form

Oriental spirea is an upright, mounded shrub reaching 3 to 5 feet high.

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

It is native to eastern Europe, Asia, Japan, Siberia, China, and Korea. It is found in mixed woods and on rocky alpine and grassy slopes.

Pollinators and Wildlife

Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to it.

Bark Color and Texture

Spirea has slender, brown stems.

Leaf Description

Alternate, narrow 1 to 2 inches long leaves, with a slight toothed margin toward the tip. Leaves do not have any significant fall color.

Flower Description

Flattened clusters (racemes) of tiny white flowers at the tip of branches in May and June.

Fruit and Seed Description

It produces a dry brown follicle that is not showy.

Plant Care

Spirea grows best in full sun to part shade and well-drained soils, preferring organic rich, fertile soil with even moisture. It flowers on old wood and should be pruned immediately after flowering if needed. This shrub benefits from a layer of organic mulch to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature fluctuation.