The foliage colors are also much more interesting in the spirea japonica group. Some varieties have orange and gold leaves, often with a purple cast to the bottoms of the leaves, which creates a nice multi-color effect. Blooms tend to be a bright, glowing pink that pops against the light gold foliage. Betulifolia spirea has leaves that resemble miniature birch leaves. This is a great multi-season shrub. Its foliage is covered in white flowers in the spring, with an occasional off-season bloom. Then the best show comes in the fall when the foliage glows with fiery colors of autumn; orange, purples, and yellows look as though they are lit from within as the nights cool down. Much like the japonicas, this spirea can also be sheared to keep them looking neat and tidy; this should be done just after the blooms fade.
Spirea Care Must-Knows
All of the different spireas have fairly similar site requirements. They will ultimately be happiest in full sun with good drainage, but if pushed, they can manage in some shade. They don’t need much extra watering once they have become established in your yard (usually after the first year after planting).
More Varieties of Spirea
‘Anthony Waterer’ spirea
This variety of Spiraea japonica grows into a 3-foot-tall mound with deep rosy pink flowers in spring. Zones 4-9.
‘Little Princess’ spirea
This type of Spiraea japonica forms a dense mound 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Rose pink flowers in spring. Zones 4-9.
‘Goldflame’ spirea
Spiraea japonica ‘Goldflame’ is a small shrub to 2 to 3 feet high, with orange-gold tinted new growth that softens to light green in summer, then copper-orange in fall. It bears pink flowers in early summer. Zones 4-9.
‘Snowmound’ spirea
Spiraea nipponica ‘Snowmound’ bears white flowers that almost smother the branches in early summer. It forms a fast-growing, mounding shrub 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Zones 4-8.
‘Van Houtte’ spirea
Spirea x vanhouttei ‘Van Houtte’ forms a vase-shaped shrub to 6 feet tall and wide, bearing white flowers in mid-spring. Zones 4-8.
‘Froebel’ spirea
This Spiraea japonica selection bears bright pink spring flowers and grows 5 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-9.
‘Bridal Wreath’ spirea
Spiraea prunifolia ‘Bridal Wreath’ bears tiny double white flowers on bare branches early in spring, before the glossy green leaves appear. Some red fall color. Zones 5-9.
Garden Plans for Spirea
Garden Design for a Deck
A garden design featuring easy-to-grow shrubs and perennials enhances this deck and helps it blend into the garden.
