Spirea (pronounce spy-REE-ah) is a tough-as-nails, fast-growing deciduous shrub. The garden of my childhood home had two varieties, one with flat-topped clusters of rose-pink flowers in summer and the other with long, arching branches dotted with clusters of white blooms along their length in early spring. The latter was identified by my mother as Van Hootie. I now know that it was not Spirea vanhouttei, but was actually S. prunifolia, commonly called Bridal Wreath Spirea.
There are numerous (40+) species within the Spirea genus, but all are hardy in zones 5-8 (at least), prefer full sun, and are tolerant of all soil types. Newer cultivars have been introduced with brightly colored foliage. ‘Goldflame’ and ‘Limemound’ make good specimens or foundation shrubs, with eye-catching yellow or chartreuse foliage on a smaller stature plant (3 feet or less). I am especially partial to a recent Proven Winner gem, Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea. In early spring, new growth emerges red, then changes to yellow. After the change to yellow, new growth emerges orange. It is not uncommon to see all three leaf colors at the same time, and when the rosy-purple flowers appear – Oh My! It is like Mother Nature has given us a terrestrial rainbow.
Spireas bloom on new growth, so prune in winter to increase spring flowers. Those flowers attract butterflies by the score, and deer usually leave them alone.
