Spirea is one of the most commonly used landscape plants, and for good reason. This hardy deciduous shrub has captivating three-season interest, with a graceful habit, attractive foliage and flowers that bloom over a long time.
Spirea is easy to grow in nearly any garden. Its hardy in USDA zones 4-8, with many selections expanding that to 3-9. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including poor soil, heat, cold, humidity, drought and urban pollution. Not only is spirea low-maintenance, but it also attracts butterflies and other insect pollinators.
These flowering shrubs’ delicate lacy flowers can be white, pink, red or mauve. Finely toothed foliage comes in shades of green, chartreuse, gold, blue, with some varieties putting on a showy fall display.
Spirea Reeves – The Beautiful White-Blooming Flowering Shrub For Your Garden
Spirea Reeves, also known as Bridal Wreath Spirea or Spiraea prunifolia, is a deciduous shrub admired for its graceful, arching branches covered in frothy white blooms in spring. This easy-to-grow, low-maintenance shrub deserves a spot in any garden for its stunning floral display and versatility.
With its cascading habit and profuse flowers Bridal Wreath Spirea evokes images of a bride’s flowing veil – hence the common name. The flowers emerge as tiny pink buds in early spring then open to reveal elegant, double white blooms resembling miniature roses. The flowers are mildly fragrant and appear in abundance, literally smothering the arching branches in white.
This showy floral display starts in spring and can last up to 6 weeks, sometimes with a lighter rebloom in early summer The pristine white color makes a dramatic contrast against the fresh green leaves. After the blooms fade, the leaves provide nice foliage interest throughout summer before turning brilliant shades of orange and red in fall.
Spirea Reeves is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and adapts to most soil conditions, including clay, as long as the soil drains well. It thrives in full sun but also tolerates light shade, growing 5-8 feet tall and wide at maturity. Regular watering when young will help it establish an extensive root system. Once mature, it is quite drought tolerant.
This shrub is treasured for its incredible floral show, but it also offers multi-season interest with pretty foliage that changes color in fall. Other features that make Spirea Reeves popular:
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Attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
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Provides food and shelter for birds with its dense branching structure
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Deer resistant
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Works well in borders, hedges, foundations or as a specimen planting
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Does not require pruning to maintain its natural shape, but can be pruned after flowering for shaping
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Easy care and maintenance
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Extremely versatile in the landscape
Spirea Reeves is one of the larger spirea varieties, so it makes a gorgeous, focal point specimen plant. But it also shines when planted in groupings of 3, 5 or 7 shrubs together to create a lush, flowing hedge or border. The cascading branches and fluffy blooms spill over each other for a dreamy, romantic effect.
For a smaller-scale, more compact look, there are dwarf Bridal Wreath cultivars like ‘Compacta’ and ‘Fairytale’ that max out at 2 to 3 feet tall. These are perfect for planting in containers on a patio or along a garden path.
To enjoy waves of bloom over a longer period, combine early spring bloomers like Spirea Reeves with reblooming summer varieties like Anthony Waterer spirea (Spiraea x bumalda ‘Anthony Waterer’). This will give you floral interest from spring through summer.
The Double Play series of spirea offers big, colorful blooms combined with vibrant foliage that changes colors through the seasons – a nice complement to Bridal Wreath’s elegant white blooms. Double Play Candy Corn is a knockout with its neon foliage and vivid magenta-pink flowers.
For a similar look but with an environmentally-friendly native option, try Audubon Meadowsweet spirea (Spiraea alba). It has the same showy white blooms but its natural habitat makes it a great choice for supporting local wildlife.
With its graceful form, profuse white blooming, and versatility in the landscape, it’s easy to see why gardeners far and wide have fallen in love with Spirea Reeves. Let this beautiful, low-maintenance shrub enhance your garden with its cascading branches adorned with billowy white blossoms.
Does spirea stay green in winter?
All varieties will lose their foliage in winter, even in milder climates.
How big do spirea bushes get?
Mature size ranges from 2-10 feet tall and wide. This fast grower can add up to 2 feet of new growth in a single season. Plants can be kept smaller with pruning.
Everything You Need to Know About Spirea
FAQ
What spirea has white flowers?
With cascading white flowering branches, the Bridal Wreath Spirea is an excellent and vivid addition to any landscape. Pure white blossoms coexist beautifully with nearby companion plants of different colored foliage and flowers. Also known to be drought/salt tolerant and is rarely bothered by wildlife, including deer.
Which spirea blooms all summer?
Double Play Doozie® spirea is one of the most innovative flowering shrubs to date. It’s the first reblooming spirea, with fresh flowers appearing continuously from early summer through frost. This occurs because the plant does not produce seed, eliminating any concerns of spreading.
How big does Reeves spirea get?
Growing in a rounded mound of gracefully arching branches 5 to 6 feet tall and equally as wide, the Reeves Spirea is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or as a natural hedge in landscape and flowering shrub borders.
How do you care for Reeves spirea?
Care: Spirea ‘Reeves’ is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in various soil types as long as it is well-drained. It prefers full sun to partial shade but can tolerate some shade. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells.