Japanese Spirea is a shrub that is extensively planted along Bell Street in downtown Shawnee, especially in the plaza in front of the auditorium. Its blooms are beginning to open and will be beautiful for several weeks. In July or early August the faded flowers will be sheared back to prepare for another flush of blooms in the fall. It won’t be quite as showy as the spring bloom.
There are several varieties of these shrubs. Some have leaves that are almost chartreuse. If you are interested in planting Japanese Spirea, spring is a good time to choose it at garden centers so that you will get the bloom and leaf color you want. In the fall the leaves will turn a bronze-red before dropping.
Since this shrub is deciduous landscapers frequently place it in front of or behind evergreen plants. It should be pruned again in late winter to prepare it for the blooms that appear in the spring.
Japanese Spirea needs full sun to perform best, although it can manage with part sun. It will grow in most any soil. It is important to space the plants to provide enough air circulation to guard against plant diseases. The planting in downtown is probably too close but the prevailing strong winds take care of air circulation. Keep the plants watered regularly for the first summer. After established, Spirea is very drought tolerant.
Most people also are familiar with Bridal Wreath, Spirea prunifolia. It has been planted throughout the country for many years and is prevalent at older homes. It has white blooms on long branches. Most Bridal Wreath plants should be pruned as soon as the blooms fade. This will help keep the plant size under control. According to Dr. Carl Whitcomb’s book, “Know It and Grow It,” spring pruning will promote more profuse blooms the following year.
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Japanese Spirea is a shrub that is extensively planted along Bell Street in downtown Shawnee, especially in the plaza in front of the auditorium. Its blooms are beginning to open and will be beautiful for several weeks. In July or early August the faded flowers will be sheared back to prepare for another flush of blooms in the fall. It won’t be quite as showy as the spring bloom.
There are several varieties of these shrubs. Some have leaves that are almost chartreuse. If you are interested in planting Japanese Spirea, spring is a good time to choose it at garden centers so that you will get the bloom and leaf color you want. In the fall the leaves will turn a bronze-red before dropping.
Since this shrub is deciduous landscapers frequently place it in front of or behind evergreen plants. It should be pruned again in late winter to prepare it for the blooms that appear in the spring.
Japanese Spirea needs full sun to perform best, although it can manage with part sun. It will grow in most any soil. It is important to space the plants to provide enough air circulation to guard against plant diseases. The planting in downtown is probably too close but the prevailing strong winds take care of air circulation. Keep the plants watered regularly for the first summer. After established, Spirea is very drought tolerant.
Most people also are familiar with Bridal Wreath, Spirea prunifolia. It has been planted throughout the country for many years and is prevalent at older homes. It has white blooms on long branches. Most Bridal Wreath plants should be pruned as soon as the blooms fade. This will help keep the plant size under control. According to Dr. Carl Whitcomb’s book, “Know It and Grow It,” spring pruning will promote more profuse blooms the following year.
