Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor' - Birchleaf Spirea
Spiraea X bumalda 'Anthony Waterer' - Anthony Waterer Spirea
Spiraea X bumalda 'Crispa' - Crispa Spirea
Spiraea X bumalda 'Froebelii' - Froebelii Spirea
Spiraea X bumalda 'Goldflame' - Gold Flame Spirea
Spiraea X bumalda 'Magic Carpet' - Magic Carpet Spirea
Spiraea japonica 'Alpina' - Alpina Daphne Spirea
Spiraea japonica 'Goldmound' - Gold Mound Spirea
Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess' - Little Princess Spirea
Spiraea japonica 'Mertyann' - Dakota Gold Charm Spirea
Spiraea japonica 'Neon Flash' - Neon Flash Spirea
Spiraea japonica 'Shirobana' - Shirobana Spirea
Many forms of Spirea have become common staples in the North American landscape. With it's nearly total cover of blooms in late spring and early summer, the near indestructability of many forms, it's more than ample propagation (and thereby possibly driving it's price south), gardeners have found the Spirea to be an inexpensive splash of color to their plant beds.
A part of the Rosaceae family, many varieties of Spirea are native to China and Japan, but can also be found in the wild in Europe and North America. They can be found in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 to 9, reaching from the northern reaches of Canada, down to parts of the southern coast of the United States. They will survive and even thrive in sand, loam or even heavy, dense clay. They tend to be tolerant of drought but grow well in moist soil. Their preference tends to be full sun exposure.
In the landscape Spirea are used in border plantings, mass plantings and a few varieties serve well as specimens. Plant sizes range from barely 2' in height and spread up to 10' in height and nearly as wide. Bloom colors include whites, pinks and reds, and fall colors are often very attractive.