Spirea in Bloom NOW at Grumbles House

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Spirea is in bloom now (late March) at Grumbles House on the little bush by our light post out front that’s been there for many years.   Creative brides can make a big impact with these pretty little flowers by incorporating them into headpieces and bouquets as well as centerpieces and chandelier embellishment.

(Spiraea vanhouttei) aka “bridal wreath” is a small to medium deciduous shrub that is one of the easiest to grow & produces tiny white blooms, each with five rounded petals, on arching branches. The flowers grow in clusters, measuring 2 1/2 inches across and blanketing the branches in the spring and early summer. The shrub grows to heights of 6 to 10 feet and spreads as wide as 20 feet, thriving in zones 4 through 9.   Bridal wreath gets gangly when it is not pruned at least once per year.  For a full blooming season, the shrub needs pruned as soon as the flowers fade.

To take good care of spirea, apply a layer of compost under the tree each spring, spreading it out to the dripline (the area under the outermost branches). Add a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Deadheading spent flowers will sometimes induce a second flowering. Bridal wreath gets gangly when it is not pruned at least once per year.  For a full blooming season, the shrub needs pruned as soon as the flowers fade to reduce height and maintain the desired shape.  Spireas can be severely pruned and will grow and flower again.