SPIREA JAPONICA Spiraea japonica Characteristics Type: Shrub Flower: Showy Zone: 3 to 8 Sun: Full sun Height: 4.00 to 6.00 feet Water: Medium Spread: 5.00 to 7.00 feet Maintenance: Low Bloom colors: Attracts: Butterflies Bloom Time: June to July Tolerate: Deer, Erosion, Clay Soil, Air Bloom Description: Pink Pollution Culture Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Prefers rich, moist loams. Remove faded flower clusters as practicable (light shearing is an option) to encourage additional bloom. Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed. Plants can be aggressive self-seeders, and have escaped gardens and naturalized in many areas of the eastern U.S. Plants will also spread in the garden by suckering. Noteworthy Characteristics Spiraea japonica, commonly called Japanese spirea, is a dense, upright, mounded, deciduous shrub that typically grows 4-6’ tall with a slightly larger spread. Leaves (to 3” long) are oval and sharply-toothed. Tiny pink flowers in flat-topped clusters (corymbs) cover the foliage from late spring to mid-summer, with sparse and intermittent repeat bloom sometimes occurring. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Genus name comes from the Greek word speira meaning wreath in reference to the showy flower clusters seen on most shrubs in the genus. Specific epithet means of Japan, which is part of its native range. Species is uncommonly sold by nurseries because of the availability of numerous cultivars which are considered to be superior landscape plants. Most cultivars grow smaller (2-4' tall). Problems No known serious insect or disease problems. Spireas are generally susceptible to many of the diseases and insects that attack other rose family members, including leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew, root rot, aphids, leaf roller and scale. Garden Uses Specimen or group for rock gardens. Mass or group in shrub border. Low hedge for path and walkways. Incorporates well into foundation plantings. Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Society Plant Finder .