Plant, care for, cut and more

From the majestic spring bloomer to the beguilingly fragrant ground cover, the multifaceted genus of spiraea fulfills gardening design dreams. Are you wondering how to cultivate the hardy, deciduous ornamental tree in your garden? Here you can read all the answers to frequently asked questions.

Plant Spiraea properly

The optimal time window for planting is from August to October. Alternatively put the Spiraea in the spring in the thawed soil. While the soil is meticulously weeded and raked, soak the root ball in water until no more air bubbles appear. Dig a spacious planting pit to enrich the excavation with compost and horn shavings. Then pot the young spar and plant it in the middle. The previous planting depth should be preserved as far as possible. The substrate is consolidated with the hands in order to spread and water a layer of foliage. Finally, the Spiere receives a plant cut. To do this, shorten all shoots by half to two thirds.

care tips

Properly planted, a spirea rarely requires horticultural attention. In order for the opulent abundance of flowers, the dense foliage and the beguiling fragrance to unfold, the following cultivation is important:

Water the tree regularly when it is dry
Following an initial fertilization in spring, every 2-3 weeks mulch with compost, leaves or grass clippings
Potted plants from April to August spoil with liquid fertilizer
Cut back the heralds of spring immediately after flowering
Prune summer bloomers in late winter or early spring
Winter protection advisable in the year of planting and for spars in tubs

If you plant a spirea tree in spring, a sufficient water supply during the summer comes into focus. In contrast to planting in the rainy autumn, during the dry season you cannot avoid going regularly to your pet with the watering can in your hand.
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Which location is suitable?

One of its outstanding attributes is its flexible attitude towards site conditions. Spiraea thrives splendidly in sunny to semi-shady locations and will not let you down even in light shade. The ornamental tree spreads its roots in any normal garden soil, which may be calcareous. The only thing the gem doesn't want to be bothered with is waterlogging.
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The right planting distance

In order to skilfully measure the ideal planting distance, please take a look at the expected growth height and width. Since the genus offers everything from dainty dwarf varieties to mighty flowering towers, we have compiled recommended distances for popular species for you:

splendor pier: 100-150 cm planting distance
Japanese shrub spear: 50-60 cm planting distance
Dwarf Spiere: 30-40 cm planting distance

When measuring the planting distance, please bear in mind that the majority of Spiraea species thrive almost as wide as they are high. In addition, numerous trees and shrubs show a rapid growth rate of up to 50 cm per year, so that apparent gaps are filled within a short time.

When is flowering time?

Cleverly combined, the lavish spirea flowers adorn the garden and balcony from spring to autumn. For your orientation we have listed the flowering times of popular species for you:

Bridal spiers and spring spiers: flowering period from April to May
Magnificent pier: flowering period from mid-May to the end of June
Japanese bush spear: flowering period from June to July
Red Summer Spiers: Flowering period from July to September

Properly cut Spiraea

Endowed with a robust pruning tolerance, sustain the growth of a spirea with the secateurs easily under control. The flowering time defines the ideal time. Spring-flowering species are cut back immediately after flowering, while summer-flowering species are cut back in late winter. Don't be afraid to prune back shoots that are too long during the growing season. The incision itself follows this sequence:

Optionally shorten shoots by up to two thirds
Thin out the entire shrub thoroughly
Cut off shoots that are pointing inward or that rub against each other
Cut fully blossomed branches for vase decoration

Place the scissors 1-2 mm above an outward knot. Such a knot can be recognized as a slight bump under the bark. This pruning encourages the plant to branch out at this point for a bushy habit.
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Water Spiraea

Although the spirea tolerates short-term drought, even soil moisture promotes growth and flowering. If the surface of the soil dries up, water the plant in the early morning or late evening. In order not to impair the flowers, you should refrain from overhead irrigation. If you cultivate the wonderfully fragrant beauty of flowers in a tub, check the moisture content of the substrate every few days with a thumb test. If the upper 2-3 cm feel dry, pour directly onto the root disc.

Properly fertilize Spiraea

A start fertilization in March/April brings the growth up to speed. Work some compost with horn shavings into the surface of the soil. Optionally, a nitrogen-stressed mineral-organic fertilizer for application. As a result, the frugal spirea is grateful for a mulch layer of leaves, lawn clippings or compost. For a spar in the bucket, we recommend regular doses of liquid fertilizer from April to August.

hibernate

Spiraea is fully hardy and requires no overwintering precautions. Only in the year of planting do we recommend spreading a layer of leaves on the root disk, as the frost hardiness has not yet fully developed. The following measures are useful for specimens in the bucket:

In autumn, wrap the planter with bubble wrap, jute or fleece
Push in a block of wood or a styrofoam plate
Cover the substrate with straw, autumn leaves or pine branches

Where there is enough space available, a spar in the pot moves to frost-free winter quarters. Water the plant occasionally to keep the root ball from drying out completely.

Propagate Spiraea

Spiraea seamlessly continues the long list of its convincing advantages in terms of propagation. We have compiled proven methods for you here:

In early summer, pull sinkers into the ground, dig in the middle part until an independent root system develops
Cut off the top cuttings during the summer and cultivate in a pot with lean substrate
Cut sticks in September, plant them in the ground and let them root
sowing the seed behind glass or directly in the bed

Is spirea poisonous?

The enchanting spirea deserves a special place in every family garden. Since the opulent ornamental tree is not poisonous, it does not pose any health risk. Good-naturedly forgiving so many beginner's mistakes, the Spiere is the ideal candidate to awaken the joy of hobby gardening in interested children.
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Beautiful varieties

Bridal Spiers: Fantastically beautiful bright white spring bloomers with an impressive presence; Growth height 150-200 cm
Triumphans: The bright red spadix flowers adorn the wood from June to July; Growth height 150-200 cm
Anthony Waterer: Stunning summer spiers of ruby red umbelliferous flowers through September; Growth height 60-100 cm
Albiflora: Dainty dwarf spar draped in clouds of white flowers from July to September; Growth height 50-70 cm
Golden Princess: Wonderful play of colors thanks to pink summer flowers over golden-yellow leaves; Growth height 40-50 cm