Spirea: planting and care. Types and varieties of spirea. Spirea: types in landscape design, varieties and photos Spirea high

Spireas are one of the most spectacular and unpretentious flowering shrubs in Central and Northwestern Russia. They perfectly tolerate haircuts and rejuvenation, are used in hedges, curbs, in group and single plantings.

What is especially important is that these abundantly and long-flowering shrubs of spirea are very winter-hardy, resistant to both cold and heat, drought, air pollution in cities, practically not damaged by diseases and pests. Spirea is durable (up to 40 years), does not require intensive care and is a good honey plant. In the zone of risky farming, not so many plant species possess such qualities with a high decorative effect.

The shape of the crown of the spirea and the height of the plants are very diverse: from 10-centimeter hemispherical, umbellate dwarfs, creeping forms, to giants with arcuate or erect branches and bushes up to two or more meters high. The white-haired, bright pink or raspberry flowering of spiraea by species and varieties lasts from May to September and longer, some species and varieties of spirea bloom again, which makes this genus of plants universal for a wide variety of garden compositions. The color of leaves, diverse in shape and texture, changes during the season and always remains elegant, especially bright in early spring and autumn, adding new living colors and transforming a variety of flower beds, borders, mixborders, rocky hills, Japanese gardens. Spireas are self-sufficient shrubs for single and group planting, as well as for creating edges around trees, hedges of free and given shape, rocky gardens. Finally, spireas can be a good decorative background for perennials and annuals in a wide variety of compositions.

The genus Spirea (Spiraea) belongs to the richest family Rosaceae and has about 100 species. Often in the literature, spirea is called meadowsweet, which is incorrect from a botanical point of view. Meadowsweet are herbaceous plants, while all spireas are shrubs widespread in the forest-steppe, steppe and semi-desert zones of the Northern Hemisphere. They grow not only in Europe, but also in Asia and America. Botanists believe that a little more than half of the species have been introduced into the culture, and this process continues, like breeding work: new spectacular decorative forms and spire varieties.

A generalized portrait of a spirea looks like this: deciduous shrubs from a few centimeters to 2-3 meters high, with erect or curved branches. The root system is shallow, which must be taken into account when loosening and weeding.

Spirea leaves in shape are from lanceolate to ovoid and rhombic, more intensely colored from above than from below; green, bluish, in some species and varieties reddish-brown, orange-yellow; smooth in texture, slightly pubescent or wrinkled. Some species and varieties of spirea change the color of the leaves during the season, becoming especially bright and elegant in autumn. Spirea flowers are white or pink, of varying intensity of tone and shade, rather small, collected in corymbose flat or hemispherical, as well as pyramidal inflorescences of various proportions.

Spireas are propagated by surface sowing of seeds in spring without stratification. Seedlings bloom in the 2-3rd year. They also use cuttings with green and semi-lignified cuttings at the end of intensive growth of shoots in a mixture of washed sand and peat, under a shelter with an air humidity of 90%. Rooted cuttings overwinter in greenhouses, greenhouses under cover with dry leaves, lutrasil. In the spring, they are planted in open ground for growing.

According to the structure of inflorescences, it is customary to divide spireas into 3 groups:

Group I mainly includes species with white flowers and the most simple in shape inflorescences - an umbrella-shaped brush (Spirea Arguta, Spirea gray, Spirea Vangutta, Spirea crenate, Spirea oak-leaved, Spirea average, Spirea multiflorous, Spirea nipponskaya). The beginning of flowering of these species occurs in the specified sequence and partially overlaps during May - June.

Group II includes types and varieties of spirea with more complex inflorescences - complex shields (Spirea Bumald, Spirea Japanese, Spirea birch-leaved, Spirea Bover). The color of the flowers of these plants is most often pink, crimson, less often - very light up to white, they bloom from June to autumn.

Group III includes spirea with spike-shaped inflorescences located at the ends of the shoots of the current year (Spirea Douglas, Spirea Billard (Spirea Biyer), Spirea willow, Spirea lilac-colored, Spirea reddish, Spirea Lemoine). Flowering occurs from mid-summer and partly in September.

By the timing of flowering, spring-flowering (from the second decade of May and early June) and summer-flowering spireas (from mid-late June to autumn) are distinguished. Sometimes they are subdivided into plants of medium flowering (June - July) and late (July - September). Flowering time depends on specific biological properties. species and varieties of spirea, as well as from the place of growth and weather. New spirea varieties and the forms are often very different from the appearance of the plants of the original species. The aroma of white-flowered spirits resembles the smell of hawthorn and mountain ash flowers. Pink-flowered species and varieties exude more pleasant smells. The scope of the article does not allow for a detailed description of all cultivated species, decorative forms and varieties of spirea, but the characteristics of some, especially interesting for garden design, need to be cited.

Spirea - varieties and types

Spring-flowering spireas usually have white flowers, sometimes with a slight yellowish tinge, their inflorescences are located mainly on the shoots of the last year. This biological feature dictates the time of pruning immediately after flowering (up to half the length of the faded shoot) in order to ensure abundant flowering next year and a beautiful bush shape. This group includes several types.

Spirea Arguta is magnificent, or sharp-toothed - a large, spreading bush more than 2 m high, with narrow serrated, dark green leaves up to 4 cm long. Snow-white flowers in dense umbrella-shaped inflorescences densely sit on arcuate branches. It is often called "Foam May". It blooms first in May, about 3 weeks. Variety "Compacta" is prized with a height and crown diameter of up to 1.5 m, with white flowers up to 1 cm in diameter, blooms in late May - June. In autumn, the leaves are yellow. Needs to cover the roots for the winter with dry leaves.

Spirea gray, or ashy- blooms at the same time as Spirea arguta. Strongly branched shrub up to 2 m high, with tomentose ribbed shoots. Leaves are grayish-green, lighter below, pointed at both ends. White flowers in loose inflorescences, scutes, located along the entire arcuate drooping shoot.

One of the most popular varieties of spirea - "Grefsheim" - a low, densely branched shrub with arched branches, narrow grayish leaves and double white flowers in dense bunches throughout the shoot.

- up to 2 m high, arched reddish-brown branches create a "cascade" crown shape. The leaves are glabrous, ovate or rhombic, up to 3.5 cm long, dark green above, with a bluish bloom below. The leaves persist until late autumn, becoming reddish-purple. The flowers are pure white, up to 0.8 cm in diameter, in flat multi-flowered umbrellas at the ends of leafy twigs. Under the weight of numerous inflorescences, the branches lean to the ground, creating a decorative effect for 3-4 weeks in May - June.

Spirea Wangutta "Pink Ice", blooming in spring, strikes with creamy pink spots on green leaves and the same color with the tops of the shoots with a small growth. Note that all variegated forms are most decorative in well-lit places, in extreme cases - in light partial shade. This variety is drought tolerant, requires fertile limed soils and good drainage. Thanks to the originality of the color, it can be used as an accent in a flower garden or alone on a lawn close to paths for a better view.

At the same time, bloom: birch spirea(mid-May - mid-June), Vicha(mid June - mid July), crenate, densely flowered(0.5 m high, with red leaves and dense panicles with bright pink flowers), oak-leaved, St. John's wort, multiflorous, Nippon.

European varieties Spirea Nippon "Halward" s Silver " and "Snowmound" grow widely (up to 4 m), the ends of the shoots may freeze slightly, but this does not affect their decorative effect too much.

Spirea adorable- openwork crown, straight, slightly branching branches 1.5-1.7 m high, blooms with pale pink flowers in early June, and then again and very abundantly in July-August, keeping some of the inflorescences up to 15 cm in diameter until September.

Spiraea mucosa- very decorative variety "Plena" with double white flowers in rare umbrellas. Dark green in summer, leaves turn orange, reddish-brown in autumn; needs a place protected from the winds.

Spirea average- an upright bush with a height of 1-2 m with a round dense crown, shade-tolerant, blooms profusely and early; interesting hybrids with other species.

Spirea Thunberg- Its white flowers bloom in May before the leaves appear, green in summer and orange-crimson in autumn.

In the middle of summer, spireas bloom: white-flowered, Vich (white fragrant flowers in corymbose panicles on the shoots of the current year); creeping (30 cm high, white flowers in scutes on young shoots), dwarf (descendant of creeping, very similar).

Spirea Bumald- elegant compact bush up to 1 m high with reddish young leaves and numerous lilac-pink flat corymbose inflorescences. Young shoots are green, later reddish-brown with scaly bark. Blooms from late June to September. There are forms with white-variegated, narrow and long leaves, flowers of different shades of pink, white.

Japanese spirea- one of the most decorative spirits with bright autumn leaves of crimson, orange tones. Erect bush, up to 1.5 m high, blooms from late June to late July with pink flowers in flat wide shields at the ends of young shoots. Loves wet soils, tolerates city conditions well.

They say that Hession called a wonderful variety "the prima donna among the summer-flowering spirits" "Anthony Waterer"- a hemispherical dense bush up to 1 m high with dark leaves and bright crimson fluffy flowers due to high stamens. Complex corymbose inflorescences crown the ends of the current year's growth. Blooms from July to September.

Also interesting are the varieties: Albiflora- a dwarf with white flowers; "Bullata"- with wrinkled leaves; "Crispa"- with large-toothed carved leaves; "Dart" s Red "- leaves, when blooming - pinkish, in autumn - red; "Golden Princess", "Goldmound"- with golden leaves; "Goldflame"- leaves when blooming are bright red, gradually turn yellow, orange-red in autumn; "Macrophylla"- with large wrinkled leaves; "Nana", "Alpina"- miniature varieties with small numerous inflorescences, they are used in curbs, on slides. Very original Japanese spiraea varieties "Shirobana" up to 0.7 m high, with a double color of flowers in umbrellas: from white to bright pink in one inflorescence. When both colors are present in the inflorescence at the same time, the bushes look magically beautiful.

At the end of summer, pink-flowered spireas bloom with cylindrical, pyramidal inflorescences:

willow (June - July), a little later the spirea of ​​Douglas, Billard, or Billard; lilac, tomentose (with tomentose leaf pubescence on the bottom and large inflorescences up to 25 cm long and up to 10 cm wide; the variety "Albiflora" with white flowers is very good).

Spirea white- high, with narrow leaves, blooms in VII at the ends of young shoots with white-flowered wide-pyramidal panicles up to 15 cm long, with felt twigs. It looks like a white spirea, but even higher, with larger panicles, broad-leaved spirea. These spireas are less commonly used in gardens, although their fluffy lilac-pink or white panicles above curtains and lush rows of bushes along garden paths are very elegant at fences, bloom for a long time and exude a faint pleasant aroma.

Summer flowering spireas need spring pruning in order to induce active growth of young shoots, on which flowers are formed. The branches are shortened by 1/3 or 1/4, or even half with weak flowering and development of the bush. At the same time, it is convenient to remove old (more than 5-6 years old) branches from the crown of the bush to rejuvenate the plants and give the bushes a more neat decorative shape. Periodically carry out radical pruning of the bushes for complete rejuvenation.

Spirea - planting and care

The place for planting spire as flowering shrubs, it should be well lit, but partial shade under the crowns of trees is also acceptable. The fertility of the soil is not very important, which makes spireas versatile plants for landscaping. At the same time, there are features of certain types of spirea, which should be taken into account when choosing and placing bushes. So, spirea felt will grow and bloom more successfully on moist, even swampy soil. On an alpine slide, in a rocky garden, it is better to plant dwarf varieties of creeping or Japanese spirea.

In a hedge, bushes are staggered every 0.4-0.5 m in a row and 0.3-0.4 m between rows. In groups, plants are planted at a distance of 0.5-0.7 m, only the tallest and widest growing species - after 1 m.The planting hole 40 x 50 cm should be 25-30% larger than the root ball size, drainage is useful in low areas from broken bricks, crushed stone, sand. The root collar of the spire is left at ground level.

To fill the planting pit, a mixture of turf or leafy soil, peat and sand (2: 1: 1) is prepared. When planting, it is effective to use a complex long-acting AVA fertilizer: one tablespoon of granules provides uniform and sufficient plant nutrition for two to three years. Since chlorine-free AVA granules contain all the necessary macro- and microelements, with the exception of nitrogen, the latter is added to the soil in the spring with mineral (30 g urea or 100 g Kemir per 1 m2 of planting) or organic fertilizing (5-7 cm layer of compost). Given the superficial location of the spirea roots, after carefully loosening and weeding in the fall, it is useful to mulch the trunk circles with any available material - compost, peat, nut husks, etc.

Fresh plantings of bushes are mulched, which retains moisture and protects young roots from winter cold.

Moderate watering is required during the dry season. It is important to water the plants after flowering and pruning, if there is no rainfall. After watering and rains, especially on young plantings, it is necessary to loosen the soil to destroy the crust, otherwise oxygen starvation of the plants occurs.

Of particular beauty and aesthetic value are the graphics of the branches and the shape of the crown of various types of spirits, which is clearly visible not only during the growing season - they remain attractive even without leaves, in late autumn and early spring. So, the exquisite arcuate branches of the gray Spirea variety "Grefsheim", strewn in May - June, like snow, with solid snow-white umbrellas of small double flowers, fluffy from long stamens, keep the impeccable graphics and then the whole season.

Plants - partners for spirea

Blooming spireas in the spring garden create the effect of "melting snow" on the graceful arches of openwork branches. Curtain from piraeus of different types and varieties will allow to extend flowering from May to September, and the use of new varieties with decorative leaves will make such a composition elegant throughout the season, including late autumn. Large group plantings of spirea, lilacs and mock-mushrooms with bulbs, lilies of the valley, primroses, astilbe, curb letniks - gracilis begonia, winged tobacco, garden balsam are spectacular. Such a group of plants will be blooming and very decorative from early spring to late autumn. It is especially important to choose tulips in color that is in harmony with the spirea of ​​different varieties. With today's richest selection of plants, this will not be difficult.

Spirea or meadowsweet is a common ornamental shrub of the Pink family. The plant is often used to decorate personal plots due to its abundant flowering and unpretentious care. Today, there are about 100 varieties that differ in color, height, as well as the duration and duration of flowering. From the article you will learn the names of the most interesting species and varieties of spirea.

The spirea plant is a deciduous shrub up to two meters high. The most common are weeping, erect, hemispherical, cascading and creeping forms. Depending on the variety and type, the plant has a different leaf plate, as well as different inflorescences. Spirea flowers are small, but very numerous. The color of the petals ranges from white to crimson. In some species, the inflorescences completely cover the entire bush, while in others they are located only on the upper or lower part of the shoots.

The plant is often used in landscaping because of its beautiful foliage, which in some species changes color during the season, as well as its decorative flowers. The shrub is unpretentious to care for, undemanding to climate and soil. Spirea grows and develops rapidly, but flowering is observed only 3 years after planting.

All types of this shrub are conventionally divided into two groups - spring-flowering and summer-flowering spireas.

Spring flowering species and varieties

This group blooms from late spring or early summer. The buds are located on last year's branches, which is important to consider when pruning a bush. Consider the spring variety of spirea.

Spirea gray

The bush reaches a height of up to 2 meters, has highly branched shoots with a pronounced tomentose pubescence. The leaves are colored gray-green, but the shade is lighter on the side. Small and numerous flowers are collected in small inflorescences located throughout the bush. Flowering is observed in May, fruits ripen by June.

This is a hybrid species that does not propagate by seeds, the plant is planted with young bushes, usually in small groups. Blooming shoots can be used to decorate bouquets.

The most interesting variety is Grafsheim. It has good winter hardiness, so it can be grown in cold regions.

Nippon

Originally from Japan, where it is commonly used to decorate the garden. The shrub reaches 2 meters in height, has a spherical shape. Long leaves of green color, can retain color until late autumn.

Flowering begins in late May with a duration of up to 25 days. The flowers are yellow-green in color and are collected in corymbose inflorescences, abundantly located along the entire length of the shoots. More often this type of spirea is used for single plantings. Two varieties are popular in Europe - Snowmand and Halvard Silver. They are compact and easy to care for.

Dubravkolistnaya

It is found throughout Europe, where the shrub is often used to decorate hedges. Spirea is represented by an erect shrub up to 2 meters in height. The shoots are often pressed to the ground under the weight of heavy inflorescences, so regular pruning is required. The leaves are pointed, the plate is green on top, gray on the bottom.

The color is small (up to 1.5 cm in diameter), collected in spherical white inflorescences. Flowering begins in mid-May and lasts up to 25-30 days. Grows rapidly, seed propagation is possible.

Spirea Argut

Slow growing plant, which is often used in decorative compositions with other perennials. Prefers light and dry places, which is important to consider when planting. Even in favorable conditions, it grows very slowly.

A distinctive feature of this species is a spreading crown, abundantly covering the entire bush. The leaves are strongly serrated and have a rich dark green color. The flowers are of a deep white color, collected in umbellate inflorescences. Flowering begins in late spring, can last up to 30 days, pruning can be done only after the petals fall.

Gorodchaty

It can be found everywhere on the meadow and shrub steppes of Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Prefers to grow in higher elevations.

It is a short shrub, rarely exceeding 1 meter in height. Has a loose green crown, collected from elongated gray-green leaves. It got its name for the crenellated edge of the leaf plate.

The flowers are white with a slight yellow tinge. Inflorescences are corymbose, located on short branches. The duration of flowering is only up to 20 days; it enters the fruiting stage from mid-July.

The crenate spirea has a highly developed root system, so it is recommended to plant it away from the beds with cultivated plants. It is this species that can often be found in city parks and forest plantations.

Spirea Thunberg

Under natural conditions, it grows in eastern countries - Japan, China and Korea. It looks especially beautiful on small hills, so it is often used to decorate alpine slides.

In a garden, the bush reaches a size of 1-1.5 meters, branches abundantly. On the shoots there are dense and small leaves, which acquire a golden hue in autumn. Inflorescences are represented by sessile umbrellas, consisting of small white flowers.

Flowering begins in May and flesh continues until the end of June. This type of spirea prefers well-lit places and does not tolerate low temperatures well, so in cold regions it is recommended to cover the bush for the winter.

Spirea Wangutta

The plant is represented by a powerful and tall bush that reaches a height of up to 2 meters. It differs from other species in an interesting cascading crown shape, consisting of many small green leaves, obovate.

Flowers of deep white color are collected in hemispherical inflorescences that cover almost the entire length of the shoots. Flowering begins in late May and lasts up to 2-3 weeks. Secondary and less abundant flowering is sometimes observed, which occurs at the end of August. This is a shade-tolerant and not whimsical plant that can be used for single or multi-species plantings. Best combined with shrubs and coniferous trees.

Summer flowering varieties

In this group of spirea, flowers are formed on young shoots. Every year, old shoots dry up, new ones appear to replace them, on which flowers are actively developing. Below are descriptions of the most common types of this group of spirits.

Japanese

One of the most famous and popular varieties of spirits, which is often used to decorate a Japanese-style garden. It is represented by a compact, almost dwarf bush with abundantly pubescent shoots, which completely throw off their foliage in the fall. It is this type of spirea that is most often depicted in pictures in botanical reference books.

Flowering in favorable conditions lasts all summer, the average duration is 45 days. Flowers of a red or pink hue, collected in corymbose or paniculate inflorescences. Looks most advantageous in combination with yellow spirea varieties.

The species is represented by a large number of varieties, among which there are shrubs of various shapes, heights and decorativeness. The most popular of them are Shirobana, Macrophylla, Golden Flame, Little Princess.

White

In its natural environment, it is often found in some states of North America. Spirea white is a small shrub with pubescent shoots of a red-brown color. On the branches there are a large number of small serrate leaves up to 7 cm long.

Flowers of a white shade are collected in long paniculate inflorescences with great decorative effect. Flowering lasts from July to late August.

Propagated both by seed and cuttings. It is best suited for creating hedges, but it is often used for single planting as well. Prefers moist soil, which should be considered when choosing a location.

Billard

This is a hybrid form, bred by crossing the spirea willow and Douglas. It is ubiquitous throughout Russia, in some southern countries.

The shrub reaches a height of up to 2 meters, the spreading is moderate. On the shoots there are long, double-serrate leaves. Flowers are collected in dense paniculate inflorescences of a red or pink hue. Flowering begins in late July and flesh may continue until frost.

Billard's spirea is one of the most frost-resistant species, propagates exclusively by cuttings. Often used to create hedges, tolerates pruning well. Florists prefer to plant the Triumfans variety, which has the greatest decorative value.

Boomald

A popular hybrid of white and Japanese spirea. It is represented by a compact and low-growing perennial shrub, up to 75 cm high. The crown is spherical, formed from long lanceolate leaves. Flowers are collected in voluminous inflorescences of red, purple or pink color. Flowering lasts up to 50 days, starting in mid-July. The most popular varieties are Anthony Vaterer, Darts Red, Crispa and Froebel.

Willow

In the wild, it is often found in the central regions of Russia, America and Japan. Willow spirea is a tall, upright shrub. On the shoots of red-yellow color there are large sharp-serrated leaves.

Delicate pink or white flowers are collected in a pyramidal panicle that reaches a length of up to 20 cm. Very frost-resistant appearance, suitable for areas with damp and infertile soil. Flowering begins only 4 years after planting, which is important to consider when using willow spirea for group plantings.

Spirea is a popular ornamental plant used in landscape design. Today, a large number of species and varieties have been bred, represented by bushes of various shapes and heights with beautiful small flowers of various colors. The plant develops quickly and is excellent for hedges.

Spirea ( Spiraea) - flowering shrub up to 2 m tall. Species and varieties differ in terms of flowering. It is on this basis that spireas are divided into groups: spring-flowering and summer-flowering.

Spireas, blooming in spring and early summer on last year's growth, are usually white-flowered. These include:

Spirea nippon ( Spiraea nipponica)

Spirea birch-leaved ( Spiraea betulifolia)

Spirea Wangutta ( Spiraea x vanhouttei)

Spirea ashy ( Spiraea x cinerea)

Spirea sharp-serrated ( Spiraea x arguta)

Late summer flowering is provided by spireas, which bloom on the shoots of the current year. It:

White-flowered spirea ( Spiraea albiflora)

Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica)

Spirey Bumald ( Spiraea x bumalda) with spectacular decorative leaf grades.

Have Douglas spireas ( S. douglasii) grayish foliage that beautifully sets off bright pink erect inflorescences.

Spireas are unpretentious, grow quickly and easily propagate by cuttings and dividing the bush. Spring-flowering spireas are pruned after flowering, and summer-flowering ones in early spring or autumn.

There are never many spirits. They are good everywhere - both as tapeworms and in hedges.

Look at the photo of the spirea bush:

Description of the ornamental shrub spirea

To know how to grow spirea, you first need to familiarize yourself with its description.

Spirea, or, as it is also called by the people of meadowsweet, is a genus of flowering ornamental shrubs. It is thanks to the twisting shoots that the shrub got its name, because in translation from the ancient Greek "spirea" it sounds like "bend" or "flexibility". This shrub is completely unpretentious. This genus of plants has about 100 varieties growing in various areas: steppe, forest-steppe and even semi-deserts. Shrub varieties are distinguished by their decorative effect and ability to withstand even the lowest temperatures.

Spirea can be both a dwarf plant, no more than 15 cm in height, and tall shrubs, reaching 2-2.5 m.The roots are shallow, have a fibrous appearance. Bush branches can both creep along the ground and rush upward. They have a light or dark brown hue. The bark begins to flake off with age. Blooms in small flowers, in large quantities.

The bush inflorescences also vary: it can be both panicles and spikelets or pyramids. The color of the flowers depends on the variety and type of plant. It can be white, lilac, bright crimson. Also, depending on the type of shrub, the inflorescences will be located in different ways.

Some of them cover the entire stem and shoot of the plant, and some settle only at the ends of the branches. The plant can be propagated both by cuttings and by layering or by seeds. It is also possible to divide the bush to get a new plant.

This shrub is perfect for hedges and group plantings to create a complete composition. It can also be used for "living carpet". But despite this, in a single planting, the spirea shrub looks no worse.

The area of ​​the plant is spread throughout Eurasia. Most often, you can find it near large bodies of water or thickets of wild bushes.

Breeding and growing shrubs with individual species began in the Middle Ages. The large-flowered species can be safely considered the favorite of all gardeners. Its long flowering won the hearts of many people, because it lasts from May to the very end of July. Often the bush blooms twice a season, but the second bloom is not so abundant.

By flowering time, this plant is divided into two subgroups: spring-flowering and summer-flowering. The first one most often includes shrubs, the flowers of which are white and they appear on old shoots. The second subgroup is characterized by different shades: pink, lilac, crimson, and flowers appear on new branches.

The care for each subgroup is different. If the first species can be cut off only in the spring, then the second group - immediately after flowering.

Shrubs are unpretentious to the soil, prefer bright places and tolerate frost well. Growing spirea is possible even near roads: plants tolerate gas pollution well. The shrub grows quickly, you can observe its flowering already in the 3rd year.

Look at the photo of an ornamental spirea shrub:

How to grow spirea: planting a bush

Despite the unpretentiousness to the soil, planting and caring for a spirea shrub has several subtleties and nuances:

• • Leafy and turfy soil will be ideal soil for the plant. The composition of the soil should be close to the following: 1 part of peat, 1 part of sand, 2 parts of land;

• the importance of drainage is often overlooked. It prevents stagnation of water in the roots, which can lead to serious diseases. Broken brick or crushed stone is suitable for him;
• the hole should be dug 1/3 more than the planting earthen lump;
• it is necessary to plant to a depth of more than half a meter. The neck of the bush should be visible on the surface;
• cloudy weather is ideal. Rain is also fine. This should be done in early autumn;
• as neighbors, the plant will prefer conifers, for example, juniper and thuja.

Now we will talk in detail about how to plant a spirea at different times of the year.

How to plant and transplant spirea in spring

Planting in spring is only possible for a summer-flowering shrub. The main thing when planting a shrub is that it must be done before the foliage appears. The root system should not be dried out, learn this if you buy seedlings. Shoots should also look healthy, flexible and have multiple buds. Before planting, the plant must be "lightened". So, if the roots of the seedlings are damaged, then it is worth cutting the upper part of the plant a little - the shoots. Later in the article, we will tell you how to trim the spirea in the spring. If, on the contrary, the roots are abundant, then it is worth pruning them.

There are cases that when storing seedlings, the roots dry out. To prevent unpleasant consequences, soak them in water, and only then plant them.

We will tell you how to plant and transplant spirea in order to cause the least damage to the shrub.

As mentioned earlier, spirea is an unpretentious plant, however, if you prefer to admire long and massive flowering, then you should provide the shrub with the best conditions.

The landing site should be chosen on the sunny side, with fertile soil. Learn that the roots of a shrub can grow very quickly, which significantly increases the space occupied by the shrub.

When planting the plant, dig a vertical hole 1/3 the size of the planting ball. After that, leave it for a few days. Be sure to provide a drainage layer (10-15 cm). Then, mix leafy soil, sand and peat, at a rate of 2: 1: 1, and pour this mixture into the hole. Lower the shrub, straighten the roots and cover with fertile soil so that the neck remains on the surface. Seal well. After planting, the plant must be watered abundantly and made into peat mulch.

How to properly plant spirea in the fall

Unlike the spring season, both groups of plant varieties can be planted in autumn. Most often, they are planted simultaneously with dividing the bush. Young plants, no older than 4 years, are best suited for this. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for you to remove the large earthy clod and wash the soil out of it.

Dig up the spirea bush. Do not be afraid to chop off the roots a little - this will not cause severe damage to the plant. Rinse the earthen ball by removing the soil from the roots. If you dug up a very young plant, then it will be enough just to put it in a container of water and wait until the earth settles at the bottom. When the roots are ready, divide the plant with pruning shears so that each part has strong roots and a couple of main branches.

Dig a hole and make a low mound inside. Plant fathoms on it and spread the roots. After that, cover the hole with fertile soil and compact. Water the seedling liberally.

Now you know how to properly plant a spirea.

How to care for a spirea bush

The main requirements for caring for a spirea shrub are a sunny area (but many varieties feel great in partial shade), airy, fertile land, the presence of drainage and mandatory peat mulching. The layer of useful "cover" should be no more than 7 cm. If you are wondering how to properly care for a spirea, then we will give a detailed answer to it.

Spirea care and cultivation is easy. It can tolerate drought, but lack of moisture can adversely affect the condition of the roots of the shrub. In the dry season, it is worth providing the plant with regular watering: twice a month, 10-15 liters per bush.

The soil must be loosened and weeded, as weeds have a negative effect on plant growth. It is worth fertilizing the shrub with complex fertilizing after pruning. In the hot summer season, the plant will delight the mullein solution. You can also add superphosphate (1 g per 1 L) to it.

The Japanese decorative spirea most of all needs abundant watering. Moisten the other varieties well enough immediately after planting and during the dry season.

When growing spirea in the garden, if you do not have time to provide the plant with the necessary watering, then the ground around it should be mulched. This will help prevent the soil from drying out prematurely.

For mulching shrubs, a mixture of peat with sawdust or buckwheat is perfect.

In order for the shrub to develop faster, after flowering, it is necessary to remove the inflorescences of the plant.

Look at the photo of growing spirea:

Pruning spirea in spring (with video)

The shrub is famous for its rapid growth, so it must be pruned periodically. Since this genus of plants is divided into 2 subgroups, the care for them, respectively, is different. We will tell you how to properly cut the spring-flowering and summer-flowering spirea.

If flowering occurs along the entire length of the shoot, then only its tips need to be cut off. This should be done no more than once a year. Branches frozen during the cold weather are cut off. Spirea pruning is carried out in the spring.

However, an old plant (over 7 years old) must be completely "rejuvenated" by cutting it almost at the root. After that, when new 4-5 shoots are formed, you can start forming a bush. Trimming must be done before the first leaves appear.

Look at the photo of the care and cultivation of spring-flowering spirea:

Take a look at the video of trimming the spirea:

How to properly prune late-flowering spirea

Late flowering shrubs should be pruned at the end of summer. Small and weak branches are completely removed, and the main ones are cut to the largest bud. Don't be afraid to rejuvenate the bush: the more you cut, the better the new branches will be. Otherwise, they dry up and die off. When pruning spirea older than 4 years, complete rejuvenation is necessary: ​​the bush is cut to a height of 25-30 cm.If after such a procedure the plant does not develop well, then it should be replaced. Usually such a shrub lives for about 20 years.

Spirea care and pruning should be done on time, otherwise heavy branches will begin to lean to the soil and dry out.

Now you know how to prune a spirea.

Reproduction of spirea in spring by dividing the bush

Reproduction of spirea is carried out in several ways: by dividing the shrub, by seeds, layering and cuttings. The first method is considered the most optimal and fastest. We will tell you how to propagate spirea in all ways.

A quick way to get an already mature plant. Reproduction of spirea by dividing the bush is carried out if the plant has reached the age of 4 years. It is divided into several smaller shrubs. If the plant is older, then this method will be extremely laborious: the roots have grown and formed a powerful system. Because of this, it becomes extremely difficult to remove the shrub from the ground and separate it.

This method is suitable for breeding spirea in the spring. This can be done in summer, but not during heat and drought, as new shrubs will need moist soil. Cool air and warm ground will be the best conditions.

Dig up a bush based on the size of the crown, plus half a meter. Don't worry if you break multiple roots during this process.

The root system must be immersed in water for several hours, until some of the soil subsides. Wash the remains under running water. This is necessary so that the earth does not interfere with the division of the shrub into parts. Otherwise, carelessness can damage the roots or divide them unevenly, as they tend to intertwine.

Divide the bush. Each part should have a couple of main branches and a good root system. After that, the plant must be prepared for planting. The roots should be made the same length and cut off small shoots.

After digging a hole, pour it into the ground to form a small mound, on which you need to place a new shrub. After that, distribute the roots evenly. Cover the hole with fertile soil.

The plant must be watered abundantly immediately after planting. If the summer is hot outside, then you need to water every day, and in cool weather - once a week. If there is enough moisture, the plant will quickly take root and develop actively.

If the shrub has outgrown the age of 4 years, then you should use other methods.

How to propagate spirea by seeds

This method works for all but hybrid varieties. They propagate by cuttings or layering.

For propagation of the spirea shrub by seeds, wide and low containers are best suited. Fill them with peat and fertile soil at a 1: 1 ratio. After planting, the seeds must be "covered" with the same mixture with a layer of 1 cm.

The plant will begin to break through the ground after 9-10 weeks.

To prevent the development of diseases in seedlings, they must be treated with a foundation or an ordinary solution of potassium permanganate.

After 2-3 months, the shrubs can be planted in their permanent place of residence. After that, they need to be watered abundantly and mulched, for example, with peat. It is worth waiting for flowering for 4 years of cultivation.

Spirea or meadowsweet is a type of deciduous ornamental shrubs of the Pink family. Translated from Greek, "speira" means "bend", and the validity of this name is confirmed by the special flexibility of the spirea branches. The main advantage of spirea is its simplicity. Spirea has more than 100 varieties of shrubs growing in semi-deserts, forest-steppe and steppe.

Japanese spirea: photos and types

Shrubs of the genus Spirea can be either dwarf (20 cm) or rather tall (up to 2.5 m). The roots are fibrous and shallow. The branches are recumbent or outstretched, erect or creeping, from bright burgundy to dark, the bark can peel off longitudinally. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, have 3-5 lobes, rounded or lanceolate. The flowers of the shrub are small, but numerous, and can form a wide variety of inflorescences - spike-shaped, paniculate, corymbose, pyramidal.

The color of the buds is varied, from pure white to pink. In different varieties of spirea, the inflorescences are in different ways.: in some it is completely along the shoot, in some it is only on top of the shoot or only at the end of the branches. Spireas propagate by seeds, dividing the bush, cuttings or layering.

The wangutta bush is used for group plantings, for hedges. Dwarf species are great for organizing living carpets, rocky gardens and rose gardens. Spirea looks beautiful as an independent plant.

Varieties and varieties of spirea

Some varieties and varieties of spirea are often used in culture, some are quite rare. By flowering time, all shrubs are divided into:

• Summer blooming;
• Spring blooming.

Spring flowering spireas

They are characterized by early flowering, and also differ in that they have flowers of various shades of a pure white shade, blooming on last year's shoots. It begins to bloom only in the second year of the life of the shoot. These plants are characterized by dense tillering. The following varieties of spirea are popular in horticulture.

Gray spirea

This is a hybrid of whitish-gray and St. John's worm spirea - in fact, it is white spirea, and it is called gray because of the color of the leaves. The plant reaches a size of about 190 cm, drooping branches, lanceolate leaves from below are gray, corymbose buds of white color are located along the entire length of the shoot. It begins to bloom from early May to early July. The most common types.

"Grefsheim"

The height and diameter of this variety is 1.6–2.1 m, red-brown branches, a spreading crown, drooping branches, flowers up to 1.1 cm in size, double, pure white, gathered in umbrellas. The bush is a melliferous plant, the flowering period is up to 50 days, it begins to bloom from 2 years old.

Spirea Wangutta

Wangutta is a hybrid of a three-lobed and Cantonese spirea - a large shrub up to 2.5 m in height and in diameter, drooping branches, three-lobed leaves, naked, toothed, gray-gray below, rich green above, in autumn they acquire an orange-red color. Wangutta's multiple globular buds are composed of pure white flowers in a circle up to 0.7 cm and are located along the entire perimeter of the branch. It begins to bloom in early July, in rare cases it blooms again in September.

Spirea nippon

Under natural conditions, it grows on about. Honshu, grows up to 2.1 m, the crown is thick and spherical, has horizontal branches, leaves up to 5 cm, blooms for up to one month from the end of May with corymbose flowers of green-yellow colors up to 1.5 cm in size, while it has purple flowers in bud.

Spirea Argut

The earliest of spring blooming flowers. Sprawling shrub 1.6–2.1 m in size, has a rather attractive appearance, and also flowering branches that are composed of multiple white fragrant flowers located on all branches. This variety of spirea blooms for one month from the beginning of June.

Spirea: varieties and photos of flowering shrubs

Summer blooming spireas

These are varieties where the inflorescences are at the end of young shoots and in which last year's shoots dry out over time, in the first place, represented by varieties of Japanese spirea... In most of its varieties, Japanese spirea is pink in color, but in rare cases it can be red-pink.

Japanese spirea

A beautiful plant with tomentose branches when young and bare after aging. Up to 1.1-1.6 m in size, the leaves are ovoid and oblong, gray-gray below, green above, purple, red, yellow in autumn. Japanese spirea blooms for up to 50 days with pink-red buds collected in corymbose inflorescences located at the ends of the shoots. The most common varieties.

Little princesses

The plant is only 0.7 m in size, the crown is 1.3 m in circumference, rounded, the leaves are rich green, have an oval shape, corymbose buds consist of pink-red flowers 4-5 cm in diameter, begins flowering at the end of June.

Golden princesses

One of the types of the above-described variety, differs in that it can grow up to 1.1 m and has a yellow leaf color.

Shirobana

A low-growing bush (0.7-0.9 m), but the crown size is 1.3 m, the leaves are small (3 cm), rich green, narrow-lanceolate. The buds are pink or white, beginning to bloom in early July.

Goldflame

The bush is 0.9 m high, the orange-yellow leaves become deep yellow over time, then green, and in the fall - bright orange. The buds are pink-red, small in size.

Crisp

A low openwork bush up to 0.5 m in size and slightly larger in width, multiple erect shoots, a spherical crown, flowers - flat umbrellas 5.6 cm in size consist of small bright pink inflorescences with a lilac tint, begins flowering in June.

In addition to the Japanese spirea, there are the following varieties of summer flowering plants.

Boomald

This is a hybrid of white-flowered and Japanese spirea - a low bush 60–90 cm in size. The branches are erect. Leaves are green in summer, yellow, purple, red in autumn. Flowering lasts about 2 months. The most cultivated variety of spirea Bumald Goldflame... This plant is 0.7 cm in size, the leaves are silvery-orange at first, then turn bright gold, then deep green, and in autumn they are bright red. But such changes take place when the plant is in the sun.

Willow spirea

The bush is 2 m high with upright branches of a brown-red-yellow hue, the leaves have a pointed shape, up to 15 cm in size, pink or white buds are collected in pyramidal inflorescences about 25 cm in size.

Spirea Douglas

Shrub 1.5 m in size with pubescent and straight brown-red branches. Leaves 4-9 cm in size, deep pink, oblong buds are collected in pyramidal, apical inflorescences, flowering lasts 1.5 months, starting in June.

Billard

This is a hybrid of willow and Douglas spirea - plant size up to 2.1 m, lanceolate leaves up to 12 cm long, deep pink flowers, collected in narrow pyramidal inflorescences. Begins flowering in early July.

Growing features

Any plant has certain requirements for both growing and care. Spirea also has some features:

• Spirea prefers sod or leafy soil. The best composition: one part of peat and sand and 2 parts of land;
• A drainage layer is definitely required;
• The spirea is planted in a hole, which is 1/3 larger than the butt of the bush;
• Planting depth - not less than 1.5 m, while the root collar of the bush must be at the surface level;
• It is necessary to plant spirea in cloudy weather, ideally in the rain. The best time is the end of August;
• Desirable neighbors - spruce, juniper.

Planting in spring

In spring, only summer spireas are planted. The main condition for planting in the spring is to be in time before the leaves begin to bloom. When you purchase seedlings of a plant, carefully examine the root system - it should not be very dry. Look at the condition of the seedling's shoots, and purchase only if they have good buds and they are flexible. Adjust the planting raw materials:

• When the roots are damaged or very dry, cut off the branches;
• When the roots of the seedling are very large, shorten them.

If the roots are dry during storage, then spill them with water, and only then plant.

Red spirea is an unpretentious flower to care for, but for abundant and prolonged flowering, you still need to comply with some conditions: the land must be fertile, and the site must be illuminated by the sun. In addition, spirea bushes create abundant root growth, which increases the area that the flower occupies, and this must be taken into account when planting spirea.

In the place where the bush will be planted, it is necessary to dig a hole with clearly sheer walls, at least 1/3 larger than the size of the roots of the seedling. Then you need to let the pit stand for 3-5 days... On the day of disembarkation (it is best to have rainy weather), it is necessary to make a drainage layer of 16-22 cm from broken brick, add sod or leafy soil, as well as sand and peat to the pit, mix it all, lower the plant roots into the pit, throw earth and then compact. Immediately after planting, the bush is watered with 1-2 buckets of water.

Planting in autumn

In autumn, both late-flowering and spring-flowering plants are planted. As a rule, the autumn planting is combined with the planting of the plant by dividing the bush. This must be done before the leaf fall is over. Plants that are about 4 years old are transplanted and divided, older bushes can also be planted, but this is already more difficult to do because of the large clod of earth, which is difficult to wash off.

The bush must be dug out, capturing slightly more than half of the crown projection in diameter. Most likely, you will need to chop off a couple of roots, but this will not cause severe damage to the bush. After the roots of the extracted plant, it is necessary to thoroughly wash... If the bush is young and has not grown much, just place it in a bucket of water and let the earth soften and settle in the container, then wash the roots under running water, straightening them at the same time. Cut the plant into 2-3 pieces with pruning shears so that each has a root lobe and some strong shoots.

Make a hole, put a mound in the center, place a seedling on it and level the roots. Cover the hole with earth. Water the bush several times.

Plant care

We have already mentioned the basic requirements:

• good drainage;
• fertile and loose soil;
• bright lighting;
• mulching with peat immediately after planting.

What else is needed for a plant to please you with a long and beautiful flowering?

Since the spirea has shallow roots, it does not tolerate dry soil well and dries up, therefore it requires moderate watering in the dry season: 16 liters each. water per plant twice a month... Loosening of the soil is mandatory, as well as periodic weeding. The plant is fed with mineral additives after pruning the bush, and in July it is advisable to fertilize the bush with a mullein solution.

Of the pests, spireas are usually annoyed by spider mites and aphids. The mite can be destroyed by karbofos, and aphids can be destroyed by pyrimor. But most often spireas are not susceptible to disease, and pests do not cause severe harm.

Pruning

Spiraea grows strongly, therefore, it is periodically necessary to do pruning. In early flowering, since flowering occurs along the entire length of the shoot, only the tips that are frozen over the winter are trimmed every year, but after 10 years all old shoots are removed from the plant, thus, the bush is cut almost to the stump, so that then from the most 4–7 healthy young shoots to form a new bush, cutting off other shoots during the growing season. After a few years, old or weak shoots are removed from the plant again. At the ends of the shoots, pruning should be done in the spring, before the leaves bloom.

Summer flowering plants are pruned every year in May. It is necessary to cut the shoot up to large buds, it is advisable to remove small and weak shoots altogether. The stronger the pruning, the more powerful the shoots will be. Periodically, you need to remove aging shoots, otherwise they will dry out on their own. When the plant is 4 years old, you can cut the spirea every year to a height of 35 cm from the surface of the earth, but if then the bushes have weak growth, you need to think about replacing the flower, although, in general, late-flowering varieties live 16-21 years.

From the photo of the spirea in landscape design, one can judge the high decorativeness and versatility of this flower in different seasons of the year. In spring, the bushes are early covered with beautiful variegated or green leaves, after which there is abundant and prolonged flowering, even after which the spirea does not lose its attractiveness.

Spirea- this is a shrub from my childhood. Only then, not knowing the real name, did my mother call him the bride. And it's true: at the time of flowering, the spirea, covered with many snow-white flowers, looks like a charming bride.

Many years have passed since then, now I know that our shrub-bride is called less poetically - the Wangutta spirea. But this does not prevent me from admiring the white flower clouds in the spring.

There are a great many spireas. They are valued for their abundant and long flowering and amazing unpretentiousness. Due to the huge variety of species, it is easy to choose a plant for any, even the most demanding taste. All spireas are deciduous shrubs, flowers are rather small, but very numerous, resemble miniature cherry flowers. Depending on the variety, they are white, cream, pink, raspberry. Small and graceful foliage also varies widely in color and shape.

Spirea Bride in the Eating Garden. Photo

Depending on the type and variety, the appearance of the plant can be different: from a low compact bush to a two-meter spreading bush with drooping shoots.

By the timing of flowering, spireas can be divided into two groups:

• blooming in the spring on the shoots of the last year, the color of the petals is most often white;
• blooming summer on the shoots of the current year, flowers with brightly colored petals.

Planting spirea

Seeds and seedlings of a variety of spirits can be found in our catalog, which combines the offers of large garden online stores.

Spirea care

Spirea care will not cause much trouble. Photo

Spirea also survives drought and frost steadily. I did not notice pests on my bushes. Watering spirea requires moderate, loosening of the soil can be carried out, and even then more for aesthetic purposes. If you were inspired by the merits of this wonderful shrub, and you decided to settle it on your site, I will be happy to tell you what else you need to consider.

Watering and feeding

Spirea pruning

Types of spirea

Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica)

It is better to place Japanese spireas in the sun or in places with shade at midday. They look great on, in gardens, as well as in the foreground of coniferous plantings. Can be used to create a low curb.

Spirea Wangutta (Spiraea × vanhouttei)

Looks impressive in solo landing on the lawn. Perfect for creating.

There are varieties with variegated and yellow foliage. They are looked after in the same way as the rest of the spireas. The only thing that you should pay special attention to is to monitor the appearance of shoots with green leaves in the crown. These branches are removed regularly.

More interesting publications about spireas: I wish you all good luck) And may your beloved garden please and fascinate you with the beauty of blooming spireas!