SPIRAEA. Widespread, Northern Hemisphere. Deciduous shrubs of the rose family, often quite graceful and delicate in texture. They have slender, usually closely branched stems, oval, toothed leaves and dense, round to flat heads of tiny flowers. Sun or light shade, reasonably well drained soil, moderate watering. Hardy to below 0^oF.

albiflora. This “species” (modern taxonomy has put its existence in doubt) is similar to S. japonica, described below. It forms a thick dome, about 2' high, with crowded light green leaves. Small flattish clusters of pure white flowers decorate the plant in late spring and summer.

betulifolia ‘Tor’. Birch leaf spiraea. This is a compact, nearly round shrub with dark 1½” leaves resembling–in at least someone’s eyes—those of a birch. Against these are set small, round clusters of snow-white flowers in late spring. It becomes a spectacle again in late fall, as the leaves take on vivid orange and red shades before dropping for the winter. Sun, most soils, moderate watering. Hardy to 0^oF or less.

x bumalda. A hybrid of two smaller-growing Japanese species, S. albiflora and S. japonica. Selections from this cross are bushy shrubs usually around 2' tall. They have dark, textured leaves, usually bronze in new growth and colorful again in the fall. Flowers range in color from white to crimson. ‘Anthony Waterer’ is among the best of the older selections, with extremely tight growth, dark foliage and flowers. ‘Goldflame’ is a more recent arrival. It is distinguished by brilliant yellow summer foliage, against which are set dark pink flowers. Still newer on the scene is ‘Neon Flash’, of similar habit to the last two, with lime-green leaves and vivid red flowers. ‘Shirobana’ (‘Shiburi’) is a more vigorous selection than the others, probably growing as much as 3' tall. It has rich, dark green foliage and flower heads of either pink or white—usually both on different stems of the same plant.

densiflora ‘Trinity Rose’. Selected by Suzanne Schettler in the Trinity Mountains of California, this is a compact 2½' shrub with attractive bluish green leaves, crowned by 2" clusters of rose pink blossoms in early summer.

douglasii. This is another California and northwestern native, though considerably more robust than the last. It makes broad thickets, standing as much as 6' tall. The leaves are pale green to bluish green, with furry greyish undersides. It blooms in summer. The tall, branched flower clusters are tinted various shades of pink. The current, unnamed selection has particularly large flower clusters, rose pink in color.

japonica ‘Little Princess’( var. alpina). I have wondered for some time whether there was any real difference between our “two” selections and now find that they are described as synonyms for the same clone. A charming little mound about 1' by 2', densely covered with bright green leaves, which are reddish in new growth and brilliant orange to red in fall. It is decorated in summer by 1" heads of rose pink blossoms. Sufficiently well-behaved to be used in larger rock gardens.

nipponica ‘Snowmound’. Typical plants of this species are stiffly upright and grow as much as 8' high. This one is touted as a round to mounding shrub of half that height. It is richly clothed through the growing season in broad, dark 1" leaves and well covered in spring by clusters of pure white flowers.

prunifolia. Bridal wreath spiraea. An upright shrub growing up to 6' tall, with slender, arching stems. Lining these are bright green, deeply veined 1-2" leaves. Small clusters of double white blossoms are presented along the stems in late spring.

thunbergii ‘Fujino’ (COPF). A round, dense shrub growing 3-4’ high. The branches are slender and closely lined by narrow, bright green 1-1½” leaves. Thick clusters of light pink flowers are held against the stems in late winter and early spring.

x vanhouttei. Similar to the last in size and habit, this species has broader leaves, deep green above and distinctly bluish green beneath, giving a glittering contrast. Set along the branches in early summer are dense round clusters of white flowers. ‘Renaissance’ is alleged to be a superior form with excellent resistance to disease.