You got ta love how birchleaf spirea , Spiraea betulifolia , turn as a perennial in the USDA Hardiness Zones that may experience -40 ° farad temperatures in the winter .
And the way that it produces plentiful clusters of flush all spring , attractive unripe or yellow leave in summertime , and a kaleidoscope of colourful foliation in fall is also sure to be look up to .
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Pink Sparkler
speak of positively charged reactions , bee love birchleaf spirea ’s ambrosia - copious blooms , and you may spy hummingbird sipping from the peak too if you resolve to grow this beneficial ornamental bush in a border , bed , or container .
I present this growing guide to facilitate you resolve if this variety of spirea is a practiced conniption for your landscape painting design and the limitation of your garden or the area where you grow decorative flora .
With affection and good humour , I ’ll cover these subject :
Pink Sparkler
What You’ll Learn
What Is Birchleaf Spirea?
This mounding shrub is one of the 100 unique species within theSpiraeagenus .
Listen up , gardeners in northern climate : This exceptionally intrepid ornamental bush offers three - season pursuit in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9 , depending on the cultivar .
Considered a nanus spirea , it develop from about two to four feet tall , depending on the variety , and spreads about that all-inclusive with a mounding habit .
Clusters of bloodless or pinkish bloom bloom throughout the spring , with beautiful foliage exhibited throughout the summer .
While other spirea species have oval - form leaves , S. betulifoliaproduces two - inch round or egg - shaped leaves that resemble birch foliage , hence the name .
These leaves are typically deep green , burnt lime unripe , or yellowed in springiness and summer , depending on which birchleaf kind you ’ve selected .
In nightfall , they take on a whole new look , sporting foliage in a kaleidoscope of color straddle from red to chartreuse , burgundy to bronze , orange to lime fleeceable , and many in between combinations .
This metal money is native to Japan and other parts of East Asia . If you ’ve envision it tagged as a aboriginal plant in the US , that ’s only dead on target of two kind .
S. betulifoliavar.corymbosa , also predict shinyleaf meadowsweet , is native to the easterly US roam from Alabama and Georgia north to Pennsylvania , whileS. betulifoliavar.lucida , or shinyleaf spirea , is native to western North America from Oregon , Wyoming , and Minnesota north to Saskatchewan and British Columbia .
But do n’t fret if you are n’t growing one of those eccentric in one of those areas . This is still a beneficial species for wildlife and the local surroundings .
It provides erosion control and ambrosia for pollinators , and is drought large-minded once plants are establish . Birchleaf spirea also spring up in misfortunate territory and is easy propagated from cuttings , so it ’s economical , too .
Whether you ’re sold on the benefits or still decide , let ’s take care at what ’s required for the ontogenesis and care of this various , beautiful flowering bush .
Birchleaf Spirea Propagation
Like theotherSpiraeaspecies popularwith gardeners and landscapist , S. betulifoliacan be propagated from deal or hardwood cutting .
Or , you could set off a Modern shrub via layering . To level , you bend a long base to the ground and weigh it down until it steady down , then sever the new plant from the parent shrub .
You canfind detailed pedagogy on all three Astilbe japonica propagation method in our guide .
If you buy a shrub online or from a local greenhouse , you could transfer it into a container with double the diam and profoundness of the root word ball . secure it has drainage holes and that ply a well - draining potting mix .
To transplant into the ground , dig a hole in well - drain dirt one and a half time as all-encompassing as the current container and double as deep .
relieve the bush into the hole so the root orb is even with the soil surface , and then backfill with more well - drain soil .
H2O well . Apply a two - column inch layer of mulch around the base to deter sens and conserve pee .
Learn more about using mulch for low - maintenance gardening in our usher .
Once the works are in the priming , your study is mostly done . come up , I ’ll go over growing strategy and alimony job , but they ’re not extensive .
How to Grow Birchleaf Spirea
Getting birchleaf spirea off to a beneficial start is moderately straight . It ’s not at all particular .
While it prefers rich loam , with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 , it will acquire in chalk , Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , or average loam as long as it ’s well - draining . add up fine grit or landscaping sand as call for to promote drainage .
Ideally , you ’ll also be able to render a full sun spot for these sunlight - lovers , at least six hours per day . They ’ll do okay in part sun , but they wo n’t flower as much and the branches probably wo n’t get as full .
They apprise supplementary piddle but approximate the need by checking how dry the territory is or else of watering on a agenda .
These shrubs favour a deep souse only once the soil is almost ironic , which you’re able to determine with asoil wet meteror by plunging your pinky finger a few inches down in the shite .
Overwatering or tolerate the shrubs to stand in pool water can boost root rot .
It ’s a good idea to fertilize birchleaf spirea in early springiness , but only fecundate once a year . Use an all - purpose , dull - departure shrub nutrient to see spirea through the blooming and colorful foliage time of year .
Pick up some more tips for growing all types of spirea in our world-wide guide .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
When you ’ve plantedS. betulifoliain a striking bit where terrace diner or front - doorway visitant will be face right at it , you may need todeadhead the flowers .
It can be a slight time - consuming , but besides making these spring - blooming shrubs look more attractive , deadheading will promote a second daily round of blooms that could stay into other summer .
Pruning is also a good idea . It may seem counterintuitive , but you ’ll want to clip in later winter or former springiness , just as the stems are really getting going .
prune the budding arm to within about four inch of the root word . Yes , I do intend for you to curtail all the stems . The buds at the bottom will leaf out and the shrub will come back impregnable and wide-cut than ever .
works growing in container will necessitate another maintenance chore . Even though these shrubs will survive the winter months in Zones 3 to 9 or 4 to 8 , look on the cultivar , it ’s not skillful for the potted plant to constantly immobilize and melt .
Once freezing weather sets in , crop the top half of the branches and move the pots to a protected positioning with stiff luminousness . A garage or throw away with substantial light from a window is idealistic .
As the conditions begin to warm up in give , move the containers back outdoors , but only after spending a week getting them acclimated to increase amounts of sunlight and different temperature .
Find more info on care for spirea bush in winter in our guide .
Birchleaf Spirea Cultivars to Select
Between the new cultivar with brisk autumn foliage colors and the sometime favorites with the more traditional bronze , red , or orangish crepuscle leaves , there are fun alternative among the availableS. betulifoliavarieties .
Check these out :
Gold Tor
You glow , girl ! Glow Girl ® ‘ Gold Tor ’ is a Proven Winners selection from the Glow Girl series .
Even its flush bud look impudently made up in a pleasing palette , reddish before open to unwrap bright white prime in spring .
‘ Gold Tor ’ is intrepid in Zones 3 to 8 . Its golden spring and summertime leaf makes an attractive hedge that can grow three to four metrical unit magniloquent with a mature spread of three to five fundament .
In dusk , the foliage turns orangey - red to purpleness .
Glow Girl ‘ Gold Tor ’
This birchleaf spirea cultivar has been bred to grow well in part shadiness with good afternoon sunlight protection in warmer climates , or in full sun in northerly locales .
Glow Girl ® ‘ Gold Tor ’ is available in a two - gallon container fromGreen Promise Farms via Amazon .
Pink Sparkler
Long after the summer fireworks are finished , Pink Sparkler ™ enlivens the gloaming landscape when its summertime light-green leaves change to a dramatic pinkish - burgundy for declination .
Of naturally , this shrub is sparkly in the spring , too , with large , round , pinkish peak heads that appear up and down the theme at the leafage axis . When it reblooms subsequently in the season , expect tinier blossoms .
This cultivar grows three to four feet magniloquent and spreads three or four feet across-the-board . engender in France , it is hardy in zone 3 to 8 .
If you ’ve been looking for a bloom bush to complement white or pinkdogwood , here you go .
Pink Sparkler ™ isavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .
Superstar
‘ Superstar ’ produce show - stopping pinkish - purpleness heyday clusters all bounce long .
When the prime are finished , carry a full complement of benighted green foliation through the summertime , giving path to bronzed leaf in autumn .
‘ Superstar ’
Hardy in Zones 3 to 8 , ‘ Superstar ’ is a natural choice for those who hold out in extra cold-blooded regions .
It grows about three feet tall and spreads four feet broad , making this cultivar a good choice for mass planting .
‘ maven ’ is available in one - gallon weed fromEZ originate Plants via Amazon .
Managing Pests and Disease
S. betulifoliahas few issues with pests or diseases , which is part of its well-situated - maintenance ingathering .
I ’m not sayingrabbitsordeerwould never mouse a nibble of the leaves , especially at peak fondness in early spring , but birchleaf spirea is not one of their preferred foods .
Despite the minimal threat , you should visit your plant for pest infestation on a regular basis , especially before move container shrubs for the winter .
see more info on preventing , detecting , and control the most usual culprits in ouraphid , scale , andspider miteguides .
SinceS. betulifoliais a member of the Rosaceae or rose family , it ’s not surprising that it may undertake afew of the same diseases , though they ’re fairly rare .
Fireblight , leaf spot , andpowdery mildewcould cause trouble , so be on the observatory for those .
Root rot submit a more solid threat .
I recommend pay near tending to preventative measures including heady tearing , space that tolerate air circulation , and providing well - drain filth .
Root putrefaction is the most likely foe to drink down your spirea instantly , and that would be a shame when it ’s so easy prevented .
Best Uses of Birchleaf Spirea
With birchleaf spiraea delivering three - time of year interest with minimal care , it can beautify dozens of spots in the landscape painting .
Just a few of the places it stands out include garden beds , borders , paseo , and terrace containers .
And it ’s such a virtual beauty , with the mounding shrubs tender erosion restraint , a brusk privacy hedge or windbreak , or an important nectar and pollen beginning for hummingbirds and pollinator gardens .
I caution you not to establish this lovely bush in a in high spirits - visibility front layer or walkway , though , unless you ’re disposed to see a sizable sleeping plant with no leaves throughout the winter .
Even the cultivars that are stalwart in Zone 3 , where temperature may plunge to -40 ° F , do not provide visual interest in the cold month .
If you require to implant it in a prominent billet , weigh using a container so you’re able to wind it out of the public eye throughout the calendar month of dormancy .
Three seasons of appeal is a spate for any plant , so do n’t force it by expect good looks for a fourth time of year !
Quick Reference Growing Guide
A Burgeoning Affection for Birchleaf Spirea
I ca n’t aid but enthusiastically commend this comfortable - care shrub with three - time of year interestingness .
And I know gardeners in Zones 3 to 9 will receive the trace , especially anyone who wants to pull in spring pollinator .
To expand your knowledge of this genus of tough but beautiful florescence shrubs , read these spiraea guides next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Cartesian product picture via EZ Growing Plant , Green Promise Farms , and Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Rose Kennedy
