Japanese spirea best varieties

Among the wide variety of species of spirea, it is the Japanese that holds a special place. What does the plant owe such widespread popularity to?

Japanese spirea is not at all demanding in care, it grows quickly and multiplies easily, therefore it is an ideal plant for beginners. The decorative qualities of spirea have long been appreciated not only by professionals, but also by amateur gardeners - this elegant shrub leaves no one indifferent.

The second name of spirea is meadowsweet

In the Japanese spirea, all parts of the plant are decorative. Very attractive are its pubescent stems, oblong leaves, which are green from above in summer, gray from below, and in autumn they can acquire various colors: from yellowish-orange to crimson.

In some varieties of spirea, reddish spots on the leaves appear already in the spring.

Also, attention is drawn to pink-red (sometimes white) fluffy inflorescences-panicles, the beauty of which does not fade and does not fade up to a month and a half. Thanks to the high stamens, it seems that the spirea bushes are shrouded in clouds of smoke.

Most often, Japanese spirea blooms from late June to early August. But there are varieties with later flowering.

The best varieties of Japanese spirea

The spirea has many garden forms, differing in the height of the bush, the color of the flowers and the size of the leaf blade. We have selected the most popular and spectacular varieties for you.We hope you will be inspired by the beauty of these plants and try to grow them on your site.

Jenpay (Shirobana)

It is a rather low shrub (no more than 80 cm high) with dark green leaves and multi-colored inflorescences that bloom in July. One plant blooms with flowers of snow-white, pale pink and deep purple color.

It was this unusual flowering that brought Shiroban's spirea immense popularity.

Anthony Vaterer

This spirea is good not only for its bright crimson flowers, but also for its attractive leaves: when blooming, they are reddish, in summer they are dark green, and in autumn they turn deep purple.

Goldflame

It is impossible to look away from the charming foliage of this spirea. When blooming, it is scarlet, in summer it is yellow or yellowish-green, and in autumn it is fiery orange.

Golden princesses and Goldmound

Spireas of these two varieties are notable for golden yellow foliage and small pink flowers. The only difference is that the Golden Princesses is a tall shrub (up to 1 m high), while Goldmound is a dwarf one (about 25 cm).

Bright spireas in the garden

If you create in a flower garden a curtain of different spirits of correctly selected varieties, you will get a bright flower bed that blooms from early June to September. And their elegant foliage will decorate your garden from spring to late autumn.

In addition, Japanese spirea will be an excellent neighbor for mock orange, barberry, lilac, tulip, lily of the valley, primrose, astilba, begonia, garden balsam. Such a mixborder will delight the eye throughout the season.

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Ornamental leaves that change color from yellow-green to fiery red

Pink or crimson flowers

Japanese spirea prefers lighted areas. Undemanding to the types of soils and their fertility. In dry times, it needs moderate watering. The plant is resistant to frost and air pollution. In the spring, the Japanese spirea is cut by 1/3. This activates the growth of young shoots.

Content

1. Varieties of Japanese spirea with photos
2. How to care
3. Pruning
4. Reproduction methods
5. Application in garden design

Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica) is perhaps the most popular type of culture in gardening, native to Japan and some Asian countries. The plant is a dense, low deciduous, slow-growing shrub with tiny pink, ruby ​​or white flowers, collected in flat corymbose inflorescences at the tops of the shoots. The flowering period usually lasts from late spring to mid-summer or early September.

The popularity of the Japanese spirea is due to its ease of care, high decorativeness, resistance to frost and drought, flowering time and availability in many varietal varieties. Ornamental-leaved varieties with lemon or light green foliage look especially great.

Varieties of Japanese spirea

Anthony Waterer characterized by narrow-lanceolate dark green leaves with a spectacular purple color with the onset of autumn. Intense pink flowers appear in mid-summer.

"Little Princess" - a compact, rounded bush a little more than half a meter in height. In late spring to mid-summer, it is covered with numerous pink inflorescences. The green leaves take on a gorgeous red hue in the fall.

"Macrophylla" - a large shrub about 1 meter high with large rounded leaves, which amaze with their decorative effect in the autumn, acquiring all shades of red, orange and purple.

Albiflora - compact shrub, reaching about 60-80 cm in height, characterized by white flowering.

Miniature round-shaped variety "Golden Carpet" only 20-30 cm tall with creeping shoots. Attracts gardeners with amazing lemon-colored foliage.

Spirea "Golden Princess" - a low compact bush that reaches 50 cm in height and 80 cm in width at the age of 10 years.Numerous small leaves of intense golden color retain their hue throughout the growing season. In summer, the ornamental value of the plant increases due to the abundant flowering.

Variety "Dart's Red" height of about 60 cm. Leaves are light green lanceolate, flat inflorescences of ruby-pink color adorn a round bush from June to September.

Variety "Japanese Dwarf" or "Japanese gnome" - a compact dwarf shrub, about 40 cm in height. The annual growth is 5 cm. During the flowering period, the bush is covered with large pale pink inflorescences.

"Bullata" - the original variety, which is a low-growing bush with dark green wrinkled leaves. Its height is about 40 cm. Ideal for decorating rockeries and alpine slides.

"Crispa" - varietal form with serrated leaves and large pink inflorescences. It grows up to 60 cm. In autumn, the leaves turn reddish-purple.

Walbuma, commonly sold under the brand name "Magic Carpet", was bred by an English breeder and is a ground cover and expanding shrub with small bright pink buds. Its young creeping shoots and leaves are initially orange-red in color, and as they grow, acquire a lemon color, which varies depending on the lighting. In full sunlight, mature leaves are golden, and in partial shade golden green. Autumn color of foliage - red-pink, plant height 30-40 cm.

Variety "Goldflame" or "Golden Flame" got its name from the shoots, which seem to "burn" at the tips with an intense copper color - young leaves, first with a shade of brown and red, and in a later period turn yellow-green. Therefore, in the spring, this variety of Japanese spirea is one of the brightest shrubs. Dark pink flowers are formed on the shoots of the current year. The height of an adult bush is about 80 cm.

Varietal form "Goldmound"... A fabulous shrub with bright, sunny foliage, the color of which depends on the brightness of the light. When planted in the shade, it loses its decorative color as the foliage turns green. Easily withstands minus 30 degrees and even lower temperatures. Bloom from May to July. A beautifully rounded bush grows up to 60 cm in height.

How to care for Japanese spirea

After planting, caring for a Japanese spirea requires a minimal investment of time. This species feels equally well in the sun and in partial shade, but decorative leafy varieties need bright lighting to maintain the spectacular color of the foliage.

Fertile, loamy, well-drained soil with moderate moisture is best for the plant, but the culture also adapts well to poorer soil, and adult shrubs can tolerate short-term drought, but regular watering is necessary during long dry periods and during the first few weeks after planting. ...

It should be borne in mind that the shrub does not tolerate constantly damp soil and air humidity, which contribute to the formation of fungal diseases.

Japanese spirea, planted in fertile humus soil, does not really need additional feeding. A 2-3 cm layer of compost mulch allows you to enrich the soil around the plant with nutrients and retain moisture in the heat. The care of Japanese spirea also includes the timely removal of faded inflorescences, which contributes to a longer flowering.

Pruning Japanese spirea

When growing a shrub, it is advisable to carry out pruning, which rejuvenates the plant, stimulates abundant flowering and allows you to form a beautiful shape.

The flowers of this type of culture are formed on the shoots of the current year, therefore, pruning is carried out in early spring, even before growth begins. Shoots are cut 5-20 cm, depending on the height of the variety. Remove dry, damaged and old branches, too thick bushes thin out a little.

Reproduction methods

Japanese spiraea propagates by dividing the bush, layering and cuttings in the open field. The first two methods are the simplest. Only adult 3-4 year old bushes are divided in mid-spring, carefully cutting the root system into 2-3 parts. Roots that are too long can be shortened. Delenki are planted in a permanent place and watered well for the first two weeks.

To obtain young plants with the help of layering, they take a well-developed lateral shoot, tilt it to the ground, laying it in a prepared groove, pin it and cover it with soil. At the end of the season, the shoot takes root and produces 2-3 young seedlings. The next year, the cuttings can be separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a new location.

Cutting is a more laborious method of propagation of the Japanese spirea. In late summer or early autumn, parts of shoots 10-15 cm long are cut off. The lower leaves are removed, the rest are cut to half and the cuttings are placed in water with the addition of "Kornevin" for about 2-3 hours. Then it is buried in a wet mixture of sand and compost (compost at the bottom, and a layer of sand on top) at an angle of 45 degrees, since this position stimulates the growth of the root system well. Cover the cuttings with a bag or jar. They monitor soil moisture and periodically ventilate the greenhouse. As soon as the plants grow, the cover is removed. For the winter, seedlings are covered with leaves, agrofibre or spruce branches.

Application in landscape design

Due to its high decorative qualities, this type of spirea fits into almost any style of landscape design. For example, undersized shrub varieties are an indispensable decoration for rockeries and alpine hills. Japanese spirea looks great in composition with coniferous crops and such decorative leafy and flowering shrubs such as barberry, euonymus, cotoneaster, Japanese quince, hydrangea, buddlea, roses.

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Japanese spirea: planting and care rules

Japanese spirea - a beautiful ornamental plant

Japanese spirea has all the qualities of an ideal garden plant.

It is not whimsical, it multiplies easily, and with its decorative foliage and luxurious flowering is able to decorate any landscape.

This explains the great love of gardeners and designers for Japanese spirea.

General characteristics of the plant

Spirea (or in Latin Spiraea) is a bright representative of the Rosaceae family. It is a flowering deciduous shrub that has easily adapted to our climate and is grown in many regions of Russia.

The genus Spirea includes at least 90 plant species. About half of the wild species have been introduced into horticultural culture. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, new varieties of spirea regularly appear.

The most popular was Japanese spirea (or in Latin Spiraea japonica), which came to us from Japan and China. It is not whimsical and is very loved by gardeners for its decorative foliage and luxurious, abundant and long flowering.

To learn how to properly plant and grow Chinese magnolia vine, read the article.

You can also find out a lot of useful information about the delphinium, its planting and care.

The elliptical or ovoid leaves of the plant have an interesting feature. In spring, starting to bloom, they are painted in red-brownish shades, in summer they turn green, and by autumn they again acquire a reddish color. Using this effect, breeders have created many varieties with unusual foliage that does not change throughout the season.

The pink-red flowers of the plant are collected in lush thyroid inflorescences with a diameter of 5 to 30 cm, depending on the variety. Among the representatives of a kind of spirea, Japanese is the record holder for the duration of flowering.

In mid or late June, it becomes covered with fragrant flower caps and continues to bloom until autumn. During flowering, Japanese spirea is a very spectacular sight.

According to the flowering period, all cultivated species of the Spirea genus are divided into spring flowering (from the end of May) and summer flowering (from the end of June). Japanese spirea belongs to summer flowering.

For more information on Japanese spirea, see the video:

Varieties of Japanese spirea

Through the efforts of breeders on the basis of Japanese spirea, more than 50 varieties have been bred, and each of them has its own special charm.

Little princesses - a small oval shrub up to 60 cm high. The leaves are dark green, and red-pink flowers up to 4 cm in diameter form corymbose inflorescences.

Golden princesses - shrub up to 1 m in height with red-pink inflorescences and yellow foliage.

Goldflame - an interesting variety with small red-pink flowers and changing foliage. At first, the leaves are yellow-orange, then they become bright yellow, then green-yellow, and in the fall - copper-orange.

Shirobana - low form up to 60 cm high and wide crown up to 1.2 m in diameter. It blooms with pink or white flowers in late July.

Crisp - undersized shrub up to 50 cm tall. Small, pale pink flowers with a lilac shade are collected in umbellate inflorescences. Flowering begins in July and lasts for about two months.

Macrophylla - an interesting form with wrinkled leaves, in the color of which there are red and purple shades throughout the summer. It blooms with umbellate inflorescences of a delicate pink color.

Varieties of Japanese spirea are presented in the photo:

Japanese spirea is planted in the spring. The main thing is to have time to plant the plant before the leaves begin to bloom. Seedlings can be purchased at garden centers. They are sold with open roots or in containers filled with soil.

When buying a seedling, carefully inspect the roots, making sure that they are not overdried. Also check the condition of the young shoots.

In a healthy plant, the shoots should be flexible, with strong buds.

If you got spirea with overdried roots, pour them thoroughly with water or soak them in water for 15 minutes. Before planting, carefully trim off damaged and overgrown roots.

Spirea is known for its unpretentiousness, however, in order for it to reveal itself in all its glory, it is advisable to provide it with the best conditions. Choose a place for the plant that is sunny and with fertile soil.

When choosing a site, keep in mind that the shrub produces abundant root growth, which increases the area occupied by the plant.

We plant the Japanese spirea as follows:

1. We dig a planting hole with a size one third larger than the volume of the roots of the seedling. Let the pit stand for 2 to 4 days.
2. For planting, choose a cloudy or rainy day. At the bottom of the pit, we lay a drainage layer of small broken bricks about 20 cm thick.
3. We compose the soil for the seedling from 3 parts of sod land, 2 parts of humus soil, 1 part of peat and 1 part of sand.
4. We lower the roots of the seedling into the planting hole, straighten them, fill them with the prepared earthen mixture along the root collar and compact the earth.
5. Spill the plant with one or two buckets of water and mulch with peat.
6. After planting, we make several near-stem depressions to retain atmospheric moisture and water after watering.

You can learn more about the cultivation of actinidia and its popular varieties here.

Also read about the daylily, planting and caring for it.

Japanese spirea care

Spirea has minimal care requirements. Water it sparingly. In dry weather, provide the plant with 20 liters of water per bush twice a month.

Keep the foot of the spirea loose and free of weeds. Mulching with crushed bark, peat or compost helps a lot in this.

In order for the spirea to delight you with lush and long flowering, it is useful to pamper it with liquid dressings twice during the summer. Fertilize the plant for the first time after spring pruning with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer. The second time, feed the spirea in July with mullein infusion at the rate of 1 to 3 liters per bush. Superphosphate (10 g per 10 liters of infusion) can be added to the mullein solution.

Spirea is quite hardy and firmly endures winter cold. However, for fear of a snowless and too cold winter, take care and cover the roots of the plant with a layer of foliage 15-20 cm thick.

Pruning

Spirea grows rapidly and grows actively, therefore it needs an annual spring haircut. Shorten shoots to strong, large buds. Remove weak, broken and frost-damaged shoots.

Spirea at the age of 4 years can be shortened more boldly, leaving only 30 cm in height of the shoots. The more you prune the plant, the more powerful and luxuriant the bush will grow. Remember to remove old and dying branches.

Reproduction

Seeds

Seeds are sown in spring in a container with a peat-soil mixture. Grown up seedlings in June or July are planted in open ground, pinching the tip of the main root so that a more powerful root system develops.

Spirea grown from seed blooms in the 3rd or 4th year. At the same time, you should be aware that propagation by seeds does not preserve varietal characteristics.

Cuttings

Reproduction of Japanese spirea by cuttings

Annual shoots in July are cut into cuttings with 5 or 6 leaves. The lower leaves are removed, and the cuttings are kept in the Epin solution for 12 hours. Then they are treated with "Kornevin" and placed in a wet sandy substrate for rooting.

The cuttings are covered with foil or glass and sprayed with water three times a day. In the fall, with the appearance of roots, the cuttings are planted in a garden bed, covered with leaves, covered with a box and left until spring. In late spring, when the cuttings have new shoots, they are planted in a permanent place.

By dividing the bush

In the fall, without waiting for the end of the leaf fall, the spirea is dug out at the age of 3 or 4 years. In this case, you need to try to dig in a circle with a diameter of more than half the crown.

The roots are washed well and divided with pruning shears into two or three bushes so that all the cuttings have a good root lobe and two or three strong shoots.

They dig a hole, put a mound on its middle, set a plant on it and level the roots. Next, the hole with the seedling is sprinkled with earth, compacted and spilled with water.

Pests and diseases

Spirea is very rare, but it can be attacked by aphids and spider mites. Treatment of the plant with a solution of Dalmatian chamomile, karbofos, capsicum or tobacco leaves helps to get rid of aphids. Such drugs as "Aktara" and "Actellik" cope with spider mites.

Japanese spirea in landscape design

In the design of gardens and parks, spirea is simply irreplaceable. It is distinguished by a wide variety of varieties of different shapes and colors, does not oppress other plants and tolerates pruning well. The plant looks great both in a small garden and in a solid country estate.

Spirea perfectly complements the composition of low trees and ornamental green shrubs. A spirea bush strewn with flowers on a green lawn looks spectacular. She is also amazingly good in a rocky garden with thuja, juniper, cypress and low spruce trees.

Spirea japanese golden princesses in landscape design

Spirea is perfect for "padding" larger shrubs: lilac, viburnum, mock orange, rhododendron, barberry and buldenezh. Low-growing plant varieties can often be found in rockeries.

Designers actively use Japanese spirea as a hedge, since it is a cheap planting material and is easy to form.With frequent pruning, the spirea does not bloom, but the decorative multi-colored foliage of some of its varieties more than makes up for the missing flowering.

If your site does not yet have a beautiful Japanese spirea, be sure to get one. As you can see, it requires very little attention and care, but in gratitude it gives much more - a scattering of elegant inflorescences on a lush, spreading bush.

Jul 22, 2015Elena Tymoshchuk

Japanese spirea (55 photos): planting and care, varieties and types of spirea

Spirea is a perennial deciduous shrub that is prized for its long and lush flowering. It is subdivided into two groups: summer flowering and spring flowering. Japanese spirea, for example, refers to a summer-flowering plant. It is a beautiful shrub that blooms with pink-red flowers all summer long.

In our strip, the main popularity was gained by spring-blooming spireas with white flowers, but the Japanese spirea is no less beloved for its amazing decorativeness

Caring for Japanese spirea is easy. The plant is very unpretentious and hardy. It takes root well in different climatic conditions. Therefore, it grows almost throughout the territory of Russia.

The varieties and types of spirea are amazing. There are about a hundred of them. Shrubs differ in height, bush shape, leaf blade size, flower color.

Summer bouquet with spirea of ​​the Japanese variety "Little Princess"

The most common varieties and types of Japanese spirea

Spirea Japanese Golden Princess (Golden Princess). Dwarf shrub, the height of which is no more than 0.5 meters. Has pink flowers and brightly pointed leavesyellow colors. At different times of the year, the leaves change their shades soft, cold and warm.

Delightful color contrast: barberry and spirea

Spirea leaves of the Japanese variety Macrophylla also change color throughout the season.

Spirea Japanese Little Princess (Little Princess). This shrub lives up to its name. Rounded compact shape 0.8 m high, pink flowers, elliptical darkgreen leaves.

The plant can become a hedge of extraordinary beauty. Spirea Japanese "princess" is generally the most beautiful of the varieties of this plant, and therefore has such a cute name.

Even one single spirea bush Princess will decorate with its brightness any garden and will delight passers-by.

A hedge of miniature flowering shrubs of spirea Little Princess in a romantic corner of the garden

Spirea Japanese Gold Flame (Goldflame). The most powerful and fastest growing variety. The shrub can reach a height of one meter. Changes the color of the leaves during the season: orange- red - in spring, bright yellow - during flowering, copper-orange - in autumn. It takes root well in urban conditions.

Bright yellow, during the flowering period, Spirea leaves of the Goldflame variety

Spirea Japanese Shirobana... Chameleon shrub. Has flowers of different colors: from white-pink to bright red. The round shape reaches a diameter of one meter and a height of 0.8 m.

The Japanese spirea often has heart-shaped inflorescences, like this Shirobana spirea.

Spirea Japanese Crisp (Crispa). It will decorate any garden with its elegance and beauty. A low-growing shrub with a spherical crown shape, it has lush mauve flowers and wavy toothed leaves.

Graceful pink inflorescences of Spirea Crispa

Japanese spirea is often used as one of the basic plants in the design of Asian landscapes.

Planting Japanese spirea

Japanese spirea is planted in the autumn months or early spring, until the buds have blossomed. The difference is that it is recommended to plant spring-flowering varieties in the fall. In early spring, you can plant a variety that blooms in summer.

One of the most spectacular spirits of the spring flowering period, Spirea Snowmound. Thanks to the abundance of pure white flowers, the grace of thin arched branches, it makes a fascinating impression both near and at a distance.

Intense pink shade of small flowers of spirea of ​​the Japanese variety Froebelii

Preparation of seedlings

The open root system of the seedlings must be put in order before planting. Overgrown roots are shortened with a garden pruner. Damaged areas are removed in the same way. Branches also require correction, especially with overdried roots. The aerial part of Japanese spirea is shortened by one third.

Before planting, seedlings with a closed root system are removed from the container and watered abundantly with water. A too dry clod of earth should be kept in water for some time before planting.

Beautiful contrast of irises and lemon-yellow leaves of Golden Carpet spirea

Choosing a place for planting Japanese spirea

The plant is very light-requiring. The shrub site should be sunny and fertile. When planning a planting site for spirea, it should be borne in mind that the roots of the plant grow strongly. Therefore, the distance between the pits must be at least 50 cm.

On homogeneous lands, spirea develops much more slowly; sod or leafy soil will be an excellent option.

Photophilousness and significant growth of the root system are the main points that must be considered when choosing a place for planting Japanese spirea

Decorative forms of the type of Japanese spirea - summer flowering

A pit for planting a plant is dug with strictly sheer walls. Its size should exceed the volume of the root system of the shrub by at least a third. Next, the pit is allowed to air for two days. For planting Japanese spirea, it is better to choose a rainy or just cloudy day.

First, it is necessary to put drainage (broken brick, stones) on the bottom of the dug hole. Next, the garden soil is filled up, mixed with peat and river sand (on 2 parts of the land, one part of peat and sand).

The roots of the spirea sink into the hole, straighten out and cover them with earth up to the root collar. The soil around the seedling is compacted, it is advisable to mulch it with peat, after watering the bushes with two buckets of water.

Inflorescences of Japanese spirea flowers of different shades, from white to pink-purple, are collected in lush umbrellas about 5-6 cm in diameter

How to care for a plant

Although the plant is unpretentious, good and competent care for Japanese spirea causes its more vigorous growth. Regular weeding and mandatory loosening of the soil is required.

Then the plant will certainly thank you with aesthetic pleasure from the beauty of its bright flowering. Japanese spirea amazes with its splendor. She tolerates a haircut very well.

A beautiful and neatly trimmed shrub is used to create extraordinary hedges.

Spirea bush Golden Carpet, trimmed to the correct spherical shape

Commercial variety of Japanese spirea "Neon flash". Spirea hybrids are surprisingly viable and often outperform their parents in beauty.

Watering

Due to the shallow root system, the spirea does not tolerate drought well, therefore, during the dry season, it needs moderate watering: twice a month for each bush, 15 liters of water. The plant also needs plenty of water after pruning.

Japanese spirea and azalea in the garden with an Asian flavor

Due to the beautiful color of the leaves, miniature spirea varieties are also popular for creating bonsai.

Top dressing

In the soil where Japanese spirea is planted, it is necessary to annually close up mulch from peat, crushed bark or compost. Mandatory feeding of the plant with mineral fertilizers is carried out immediately after pruning the bush. Also in the middle of summer, it is advisable to feed the spirea with a liquid infusion of fermented mullein with superphosphate added to it: 10 g of superphosphate is needed for 10 liters of infusion.

Japanese spirea well accepts fertilizing with both mineral and organic fertilizers

Delicate pink inflorescences of Japanese spirea Little Princess

Correct pruning

Pruning Japanese spirea is necessary to give the bush a beautiful regular shape and to remove aging shoots. If shrubs that bloom in summer must be cut off in early spring, then the multi-colored species of this plant are cut off immediately after the color has disappeared, that is, in the fall.

Shoots must be shortened to large buds; dry ones are best removed altogether. When rejuvenating Japanese spirea, you should not be afraid to remove something superfluous. Good quality and bold pruning guarantees the birth of a large number of powerful young shoots.

If you do not prune, then the old shoots will tend to the bush to the ground, its tops will begin to dry out. Experienced gardeners recommend global pruning from the 4th year of plant life, leaving the height of the bush only 30 cm from the ground.

Spirea tolerates pruning well, do not be afraid to remove something extra, giving the plant shape

On the inflorescences of the Shiroban spirea, you can see flowers of both almost white and deep pink colors.

Reproduction of Japanese spirea

In addition to dividing the bush, the plant can be propagated in three more ways:

• using seeds;
• layering;
• by grafting.

Japanese spiraea seeds do not retain varietal qualities, therefore, only those species that are not hybrids can be propagated in this way. It is better to sow seeds in spring in boxes with pre-moistened leafy soil. From above, the ground is mulched with peat. After 10 days, high-quality seeds will sprout, which are planted in open ground after three months.

Reproduction of Japanese spirea by layering must be done in early spring before the leaves bloom. To do this, the lower branches of the shrub are bent to the ground, attached in a horizontal position using, for example, wire and sprinkled with earth. These places are regularly watered. By the fall, independent shrubs will appear here.

Japanese spirea can be cut from the second half of June. For this, a straight shoot is cut into several pieces, which are planted in a mixture of river sand and peat in equal proportions. This method requires high humidity. Therefore, the cuttings must be sprayed with water and watered at least 4 times a day. For the winter, the cuttings are covered with leaves, and in the spring they dive to a new place.

Japanese spirea preparing to bloom

Diseases and treatment of the plant

Japanese spirea is rarely exposed to disease. The most terrible pests for her can be the rose leafworm, aphids and spider mites.

Rose leafworm appears at the end of May. Caterpillars damage up to 60% of the leaves, they gnaw greens. Aphids suck out juice from young shoots, leaves and pedicels. In the fight against these pests, pyrimor is used (0.1%). Using this tool guarantees 95% success.

Spider mite is the most dangerous pest for Japanese spirea. It can be detected by the presence of cobwebs, holes in the inflorescences, premature drying and leaf fall. The mite is especially active in dry summers. An effective result in the fight against this pest can be obtained using phosphamide (0.15-0.2%), acrex (0.2%) or karbofos (0.2-0.3%).

In the fight against pests, careful care of shrubs will also help: loosening the soil, timely feeding and watering the plant.

Lilac inflorescence of spirea Anthony Waterer in the shape of a heart

Japanese spirea - video

Japanese spirea in the garden - luxurious softness (28 photos)

This unpretentious, easily propagating and luxuriously flowering plant is able to decorate any garden. At the same time, many are attracted by the fact that performing such work as planting and leaving will not cause any difficulties even for novice gardeners.

general characteristics

Spirea, easily adapted to the Russian climate, is grown in many regions of the Russian Federation. The genus Spirea includes about 90 varieties of this plant. And thanks to the work of breeders, the emergence of new interesting varieties of it is constantly observed.

The most popular among landscape designers is Japanese spirea, in the scientific world called Spiraea japonica and arrived in Russia from China and Japan. Many gardeners love her very much for a long and luxurious flowering.

Its elliptical leaves have an interesting feature. In spring, blooming, they become reddish-brownish, with the arrival of summer they turn green, in autumn they again begin to acquire a reddish tint. But today, breeders have already obtained varieties that do not change the color of their foliage from spring to autumn.

Japanese spirea surpasses all representatives of its genus in terms of flowering duration. Beginning in mid-June, pleasantly scented flower hats appear on it, presenting a spectacular sight that can be admired until autumn.

Biological features

Japanese spirea, resistant to many unfavorable conditions, is successfully grown in almost all regions of our country, from the southern borders to the Arctic. It can grow even without the presence of fertile soil, top dressing, watering and shelter for the winter.

Japanese spirea is watered, as a rule, only the first year of its life. It is also optional to trim it. The height of the plant bushes depends on the variety and varies in the range of 20-150 cm. The crown of this type of spirea is hemispherical without "bare legs", sometimes thick, and sometimes a little "ruffled".

Preparation of seedlings

Before planting, the root system of the seedlings must be put in order. Why is it necessary, using a garden pruner, to shorten overgrown roots and remove damaged ones. The branches also need to be corrected, especially if the seedling has overdried roots. The aerial part of the plant is shortened by a third.

Seedlings with a closed root system, after being removed from the container, are watered abundantly with water. In the presence of a strongly dried lump of earth, it is kept for some time in a container with water.

Planting spirea

This procedure is usually performed in early spring, before the buds begin to bloom, or in the fall. Although Japanese spiraea is a hardy plant, it is better if it grows in a sunny area and in fertile (leafy or sod) soil with a distance of 50 centimeters or more between seedlings.

It is advisable to plant this ornamental shrub on a cloudy or rainy day. It is recommended to put some stones or broken bricks in the seedling hole, and then pour a layer of garden soil, adding river sand mixed with peat to it. You need to adhere to the following proportions:

• soil - two parts;
• peat - one part;
• sand is one piece.

The roots of the spirea, after placing them in the prepared hole, are covered with earth, which is compacted around the seedling. It is also recommended to mulch the soil with peat, having previously watered it well with water.

Plant care

Although Japanese spirea belongs to unpretentious plants, with proper care, you can achieve its more vigorous growth. In this case, it is necessary to periodically loosen the soil and carry out weeding. Then the spirea will delight you with the bewitching beauty of its exuberant flowering. She tolerates a haircut that turns her into an extraordinary flowering hedge.

Watering

In the Japanese spirea, the root system is located near the surface of the earth, so the plant does not feel well in drought, and at this time it needs to provide a lot of moisture, pouring two to three buckets of water under its bush every 14 days. After pruning, it is also recommended to water the spirea bush abundantly for several weeks.

Top dressing

It is necessary annually in the soil, in the place where the Japanese spirea is planted, to close up mulch, which should contain peat, as well as compost or crushed bark. It is also recommended to feed the plant immediately after cutting it with mineral fertilizers.

Pruning

Plants are pruned in order, firstly, to give the bush a shape, and, secondly, to remove ugly, dried or aging shoots, which are shortened to the locations of viable large buds.

When rejuvenating Japanese spirea, do not be afraid to remove excess.

With bold, high-quality pruning, you can only increase the number of new shoots. Without such a procedure, the old branches of the bush will tilt it down, and the top will begin to dry out.

Some experienced gardeners advise pruning the bush every four years so that only 30 centimeters of its height from the ground remains.

Reproduction

Dividing the bush

With the arrival of autumn, before the end of leaf fall, a three to four-year-old spirea must be dug up, the roots washed and the plant divided into two or three bushes. Then you need to make a hole in the ground and pour a small mound in the middle, on which to place one of the resulting bushes, having previously leveled its roots. Sprinkle the hole with the seedling in it with earth and sprinkle with water.

Cuttings

To do this, use annual shoots, cut in July, on which five to six upper leaves are left, removing all the rest.

Then the cuttings are kept for 10-14 hours in the Epin solution, which is an activator of the protective functions of plants, and treated with Kornevin, a biostimulating drug that irritates the integumentary tissues of the plant and stimulates the development of living cells in wounded areas. After that, such well-prepared cuttings are placed in a moistened sandy substrate for further rooting.

The cuttings are covered with a film and sprayed with water three times a day. With the onset of autumn and after the appearance of the roots, the cuttings are planted close to each other in the soil, covering with fallen leaves. Until the arrival of spring, the cuttings are covered with boxes, and they are planted in a permanent place in the spring, when shoots appear on them.

Seed propagation

Sowing seeds is best done in the spring in a container filled with a mixture of peat and soil. The emerging seedlings are planted in early summer in the garden, pinching the tip of their main root, which is done to ensure better development of the plant roots. Japanese spirea, grown using seeds, blooms only after three (and sometimes four) years.

Decorative varieties and their features

Thanks to the achievements of breeders, more than fifty varieties of Japanese spirea are known today. At the same time, the landing and care for each of them do not have significant differences. And they are all adorable in their own way. Only some of the most popular varieties are discussed below.

• "Goldflame" is a plant with small pink (sometimes reddish) flowers and changing foliage. In the spring, the leaves are orange, then turn yellow, then green with yellowness, and, finally, in the fall they acquire an orange color with the addition of copper color.
• Little Princesses is a small shrub, 60 centimeters or less in height, with dark green leaves. The flowers, which can be up to four centimeters in diameter, can be either red or pink.
• "Golden Princesses" is a kind of Japanese spirea up to 100 centimeters high. It has red-pink inflorescences and yellow foliage.
• "Shirobana" is a bush no more than 60 centimeters high with a wide crown, sometimes reaching 1.2 meters in diameter. Flowers (white or pink) appear at the very end of July.
• "Macrophylla" is an interesting plant with wrinkled leaves of purple and red hues and umbrella-shaped soft pink inflorescences.
• "Crispa" is a shrub no more than 50 centimeters high with small pink flowers of a lilac shade, collected in the form of umbrella inflorescences. It blooms for about two months, starting in mid-summer.

Features of planting and caring for Japanese spirea

Japanese spirea, a member of the pink family, is one of the most popular types of ornamental shrubs.This plant has a spherical crown, consisting of densely branched stems, decorated with inflorescences with many flowers of light or deep pink color.

Planting a spirea and caring for it is not very difficult, and beautiful leaves and delicate flowers delight with their magnificent view until late autumn. This shrub can be used in a flower arrangement, create a hedge or a low curb from it along a garden path or an artificial reservoir.

The height of different varieties of Japanese spirea is diverse and ranges from 17 cm to 2 m.

The most famous varieties and varieties of Japanese spirea

In Europe and in eastern countries, the following varieties of spirea are often found, shown in the photo:

1. Golden princess - a dwarf shrub with bright pink flowers up to 50 cm high. It got its name because of the bright yellow color of the leaves, which change the brightness of their shade throughout the year.
2. Little princess - impresses with its compactness and beauty, the maximum plant height is 80 cm. The flowers are light pink, the foliage is elliptical and dark green in color.
3. Gold flame - the bushes are rather large, up to 1 m high. In spring, their leaves are orange-red in color, in summer they are bright yellow, with the arrival of autumn turning into copper-orange tones. Adapts well to urban conditions.
4. Shirobana - Sprawling, rounded bushes, reaching 80 cm in height and 1 m in diameter. On brown stems, the caps of inflorescences of three shades are densely located - from white to red.
5. Crispa - Plants of small height (up to 60 cm) with dark pink flowers and carved leaves. In the spring, the leaves have a red or pink hue, then turn green, in the fall they are painted in various shades of crimson, purple and orange. Flowering begins in July on last year's shoots, continuing until September.
6. Anthony waterer - the height of the bush does not exceed 80 cm, it grows well in width. When emerging from the buds, the leaves have a crimson hue, the flowers are collected in umbrella inflorescences, bright pink or red, bloom in mid-summer.

Planting Japanese spirea

The plant can be planted in spring or autumn in cloudy or rainy weather. First, you should inspect the roots of the seedling, remove the weak and damaged and shorten too long. The vegetative part of the bush is also shortened by about a third of the length, this is especially important for plants with overdried roots.

It is recommended to dip them in water for a while before planting. Spirea is unpretentious and can develop well on ordinary sod land. You can prepare a special composition for planting, which is a mixture of earth, peat and sand in the ratio: 2: 1: 1.

The plant feels good in the vicinity of a juniper, thuja, prefers sunny places, as you can see in the photo.

Japanese spirea responds very well to mulching

Sequence of operations when landing:

1. Prepare a hole, the volume of which is about 3 times the root system of the seedling.
2. Lay a layer of sand or broken bricks at the bottom of the pit for drainage to prevent stagnation of water that harms the roots.
3. Place the plant in the hole, while placing the root collar of the seedling on the same plane with the soil surface.
4. Gently fill the remaining space with the prepared mixture, lay the mulch on top with a layer 7 cm high, you can use peat, sawdust or compost for this purpose.
5. Water the plant thoroughly.

Proper care of Japanese spirea

The root system of the spirea is not very deep in the ground and needs regular, moderate watering in dry weather. In order to improve air access to the roots of the plant, the soil should be loosened frequently, removing weeds. During the period of bud setting and abundant flowering, the bushes are fed.

Spirea needs regular watering

Spirea is resistant to many diseases, but can be affected by some pests. Timely inspection and control of them will help prevent them from harming plants.

Cutting Japanese spirea, blooming in summer, is done in early spring, leaving strong healthy shoots and shortening them by 2 times.

The average lifespan of a Japanese spirea is 17 years, but if a plant that has reached 4 years of age does not grow well and blooms poorly, it is better to replace it with another specimen.

Advice. To increase the flowering period of Japanese spirea and stimulate the appearance of new buds, it is recommended to cut off the faded inflorescences regularly. When cultivating varieties with yellow leaves, it is necessary to cut out at the very base shoots with green leaves, which from time to time appear on plants obtained as a result of selection.

Fertilizing and feeding plants

It is recommended to feed Japanese spirea twice a year:

• in the spring at the end of the pruning of the bushes - with complex fertilizer according to the instructions attached to it;
• in summer during flowering - organic fertilizer, adding superphosphate, which improves the formation of new inflorescences.

As an organic fertilizer, you can use mullein, which is diluted with water in a quantitative ratio of 1: 6. In the absence of cow dung, it is replaced with chicken manure, diluted with water 1:18. It is enough to take 10 g of superphosphate per bucket of the resulting solution.

You need to feed the spirea 2 times a year.

Plants also get a certain amount of nutrients from the mulch located under the bushes.

It not only prevents the formation of a dense crust on the soil surface, improving aeration of the roots, but also enriches the soil by being processed by the earthworms living in it.

The same function will be performed by laying fallen leaves on the soil surface adjacent to the plant stems in preparation for winter. It will also insulate the roots of the plant, protecting it from damage during severe frosts.

Reproduction of Japanese spirea

The species of spirea growing on the site can be propagated in the following ways:

Seeds (except for hybrids, as their varietal characteristics may disappear). They are planted in low boxes with leafy soil, which is moistened before sowing the seeds, and after that it is mulched with a small layer of peat.

When shoots appear after 1-1.5 weeks, the soil is disinfected to prevent diseases with a solution of potassium permanganate or one of the special antifungal drugs, for example, foundationol.

After a few months or the next year, the seedlings dive - they are transplanted to the garden bed, first pinching the tip of the root for enhanced development of the lateral roots.

By dividing the bush... It is easier to perform this operation on young, not yet very large and highly overgrown plants. Division and planting are carried out in early spring or late September - early October in cloudy weather with abundant watering of seedlings.

By cuttings. The annual stem is cut into pieces containing about 6 leaves, the lower ones are cut off, and the upper ones are shortened by 50%.

For good rooting, the cuttings are placed for 6 hours in a container with an aqueous solution of some growth stimulant, for example, epin.

Then its lower part is showered with powdered root and planted in a greenhouse or flower pot at an angle of about 45º.

To create an optimal microclimate, the pot is covered with a plastic bag, placed in the shade with daily spraying of the cuttings. In the fall, it can be planted in the garden, covered with leaves and an inverted box until spring arrives.

Layers, laying the branch into the trench, securing and then filling it with earth. To form several rooted shoots, the upper part of the stem is pinched for the emergence of new shoots from the lateral buds. The division of the grown and strengthened shoots is carried out in the fall.

Spirea pests and diseases caused by them

Most often, Japanese spirea is affected by a spider mite. The disease manifests itself in the appearance of whitish spots on the leaves, their subsequent yellowing and falling off. To destroy the tick, it is recommended to treat plants with 0.2% solution of phosphamide or acrex.

Considerable harm can be caused to the plant by the aphids feeding on its juices and the rose leafworm. In these cases, the bushes are best treated with bitoxibacillin and pyrimor preparations. You can also use 0.1% actellic or 0.2% etaphos.

A good effect is given by spraying plants in dry weather with water and herbal infusions, strengthening them with regular feeding and timely watering.

Powdery mildew of Japanese spirea

Spiraea Japanese on the backyard brings bright colors and shapes, allows you to diversify the landscape using unusual topiary figures from trimmed bushes, create a beautiful border or fill the free space with beautiful, eye-catching single specimens of plants. Admiring this decorative culture, you can ensure a positive attitude and good health, and bouquets made using its inflorescences will be a great addition to the interior of any room.

Trimming Japanese spirea: video

Japanese spirea: photo

Japanese spirea

Japanese spirea is a unique plant that is useful on the site and as a hedge, and as a decorative ornament. Spirea can be grown in cool climates - it is quite unpretentious. We will learn the features of growing Japanese spirea in the open field, find out all the nuances of planting a plant and caring for it.

Description

Japanese spirea is one of the representatives of the Rosaceae family. The shrub is compact, deciduous, and can be grown in various regions of our country. Pay attention to the photo spirales presented on our website.

An interesting feature of the color of the foliage of the spirea: only after blossoming in the spring, they are brown, then turn green by summer, and closer to autumn the foliage becomes red. Many landscape designers take advantage of this unique feature of the spirea, giving the site a great look.

Spirea flowers have a pinkish-red hue, small, but collected in rather lush and multiple inflorescences. The diameter of one inflorescence can be either 5 centimeters or 30, depending on the variety. In addition, this plant has very long flowering periods: from the end of June to the very fall.

All varieties of spirea are subdivided into:

• spring flowering;
• summer flowering.

The former begin to bloom from mid-late May, and the latter (there are more of them) from the end of June. Japanese spirea is a summer-flowering variety.

Varieties

Little princesses

A compact shrub that grows 50-60 cm in height. The pink color of the inflorescences-scutes contrasts perfectly with the dark green dense foliage (see photo).

Goldflame

A variety that is characterized by a particularly noticeable change in foliage color. The flowers are small, pink, and look very decorative against the background of beautiful leaves.

Crisp

Low shrub, does not grow more than half a meter. The flowers are very delicate, light pink, collected in graceful umbrella inflorescences. Spirea Crispus is prized for its long-lasting flowering - the decorative period lasts about two months.

Macrophile

It features extremely decorative foliage that changes its color. So, in the spring the leaves of Macrophila have a purple hue, in the summer they are green, and in the fall the foliage becomes golden and orange.

Golden princesses

This Spirea reaches a meter in height, is distinguished by reddish-pink flowers and yellow foliage.

A variety such as Shirobana is also often planted. The variety boasts a compact bush and simultaneous flowering of both pink and white flowers on the same plant.

In landscape design, Japanese spirea is valued for its exceptional decorativeness. Various varieties of it are used to create hedges, and to decorate flower arrangements, alpine hills.

Growing conditions

We will find out what the requirements for the conditions of its content and location are imposed by the Japanese spirea.

Seat selection

Although the plant is unpretentious, however, it will best show its decorative qualities when planted in a sunny, well-lit area. By the way, the spirea can feel quite well in the shady corners of the garden, however, it cannot please with special decorativeness in this case: both the inflorescences will be smaller, and the color of the foliage is not so bright.

It is also important to know that the space allotted for the spirea should be quite extensive, since the roots of the plant grow underground to an area larger than the area of ​​the shrub itself.

The soil

Japanese spirea will feel best in fertile, well-fertilized soil. Take care of this before planting by adding the necessary nutrients to the soil.

Planting time and seedling selection

Spirea should be planted in the open field in the spring. However, it is necessary to have time to carry out planting before the leaves bloom at the plant.

Buy seedlings in proven nurseries, paying attention to the roots of the plant: it is important that they are not overdried. Otherwise, the spirea will not take root.

When buying seedlings with open roots, choose specimens with live buds, but not yet started to grow. Bend the roots and shoots (without fanaticism) - they should be flexible and not brittle.

Preparing for landing

If the plant has damaged roots, remove them with a sharp, well-sanitized secateurs. If some of the healthy roots are too long, shorten them too.

Soak the roots of the plant in potassium permanganate water before planting. The procedure will simultaneously solve two problems at once: it will relieve the roots from drying out, and will provide disinfection.

Landing

How to plant Japanese spirea in open ground.

The first step is to prepare the pit. Its volume should exceed the approximate volume of spirea roots by one third. Before planting, the pit should be allowed to settle for two to four days.

Planting should be done in cloudy weather or rain. Lay the crushed brick drainage on the bottom of the dug hole in a layer of about 15-20 cm.The soil should be as follows:

• sod land - 30 parts;
• humus - 2 parts;
• peat land - 1 part;
• river sand - 1 part.

Mix all ingredients.

Dip the roots of the plant into the hole, straighten them carefully, cover them with carefully prepared soil mixture. The root collar should be above the ground and not buried. When filling the hole with earth, immediately compact the soil during the process.

After planting, water the shrub with 1-2 buckets of water. Mulch the root circle with dry peat. Also make several depressions in the diameter of the root circle to retain water: this way you will provide better moisture for the plant roots.

A couple of days after planting, water the plant with water with ammonia dissolved in it. This substance acts on spirea like an anti-stress drug: it nourishes the roots while they have not yet completely taken root. In addition, ammonia will help you gain green mass faster. Feeding with ammonia, by the way, can be carried out later, when the plant has already taken root and will actively grow.

Care

The following is a description of the main points for caring for Japanese spirea growing outdoors.

Top dressing

To ensure long-term and abundant flowering of the spirea, it should be pampered with additional nutrition. Proper care involves feeding twice a season: after spring pruning and in July. Add mineral complex solution in spring and mullein solution in summer. Under one bush, it is supposed to pour from 1 to three liters of top dressing.

Loosening, mulching

Japanese spirea grows best in loose, well-permeable soil. Therefore, after watering and rains, it is advisable to loosen the soil in the root circle, at the same time removing weeds.The mulching procedure will help to retain moisture and get rid of weeds. Use dry compost or peat as mulch.

Drafts

The Japanese spirea is not afraid of the wind, so it can feel good in open areas. However, too strong gusts can negatively affect flowering, therefore, during the period of bud formation, it is better to protect the spirea from drafts.

Watering

The plant needs moderate watering. If it is hot outside, then the moisturizing procedure is mandatory. On average, in cool weather, 10 liters of water (bucket) are consumed per bush with one watering, in hot weather - 20 liters. Watering frequency is twice a month.

Irrigation and spraying

As for spraying, the spirea does not need this procedure. Irrigation is beneficial for its root system; foliage does not need to be irrigated.

Pest control

In general, this plant is resistant to diseases and pests. Nevertheless, although it is rare, sometimes aphids and spider mites attack the spirea. To cope with these pests, gardeners recommend using spraying with a solution of hot pepper, karbofos, tobacco. Against the spider mite, such remedies as Aktellik and Aktara have proven themselves well.

But it is better not to allow pests to be damaged initially. Carry out preventive spraying in advance - and then the spirea will always be healthy and strong. By the way, watering with water with ammonia serves not only as a top dressing, but also prevents many plant diseases.

Pruning, transplanting

This shrub grows quickly, so regular shaping is essential. Every spring, before the onset of the growing season, shorten the regrown shoots up to the first strong and strong buds. In addition, after each winter, remove weed shoots: weak, sick, frozen.

When the shrub is four years old, you can prune it more, removing up to 30 cm of the length of the shoots. Keep in mind that the more you shorten the spirea shoots, the more lush and abundantly flowering the bush will be.

Reproduction

The plant can be propagated in four ways:

• seeds;
• dividing the bush;
• layering;
• cuttings.

In amateur gardening, the cuttings or layering method is usually used. Dividing a bush already requires a more professional approach, not to mention seed reproduction - long and painstaking. In addition, there is a risk of buying the wrong seeds that you need: for example, hybrid varieties of spirea, in principle, are not derived from seeds.

Care at different times of the year, wintering

In spring and autumn, the plant only needs pruning, while the spirea tolerates winter quite well. However, if you live in an area with snowless and frosty winters, it is best to cover the roots of the plant for the winter.

And even if you live in an area with a temperate climate, it is advisable to cover for the winter the roots of those plants that have not yet turned four years old. Young spirea tolerates cold worse.

As a shelter, you can use spruce branches or fallen leaves - a layer of 15-20 cm is quite enough.

Growing tips, nuances

Keep in mind that for the first time spirea blooms only in the third year after planting. You should be patient - the decorative spectacle of the flowering shrub is worth it.

It is also important to know that the root system of the plant is superficial, therefore, it cannot take moisture from deep layers of soil. Therefore, do not allow the roots to dry out, and be sure to regularly water the spirea, in the heat - twice as much.

The spirea bush lives for about 17 years, but if, upon reaching the age of four, it did not please with abundant flowering, it is better to replace it with a higher quality specimen.

Japanese spirea is a real decoration of the garden, striking with a unique combination of delicate flowers and bright color of leaves. In addition, the shrub is unpretentious, so novice gardeners can also grow it. And our advice will definitely help you with this.

Spirea is a perennial deciduous shrub that is prized for its long and lush flowering. It is subdivided into two groups: summer flowering and spring flowering. Japanese spirea, for example, refers to a summer-flowering plant. It is a beautiful shrub that blooms with pink-red flowers all summer long.

In our strip, the main popularity was gained by spring-blooming spireas with white flowers, but the Japanese spirea is no less beloved for its amazing decorativeness

Content

• The most common varieties and types of Japanese spirea
• Planting Japanese spirea
• Preparation of seedlings
• Choosing a place for planting spirea
• How to care for a plant
• Watering
• Top dressing
• Correct pruning
• Reproduction of Japanese spirea
• Diseases and treatment of the plant
• Spirea: video, photo

Caring for Japanese spirea is easy. The plant is very unpretentious and hardy. It takes root well in different climatic conditions. Therefore, it grows almost throughout the territory of Russia.

The varieties and types of spirea are amazing. There are about a hundred of them. Shrubs differ in height, bush shape, leaf blade size, flower color.

Summer bouquet with spirea of ​​the Japanese variety "Little Princess"

The most common varieties and types of Japanese spirea

Spirea Japanese Golden Princess (Golden Princess). Dwarf shrub, the height of which is no more than 0.5 meters. Has pink flowers and brightly pointed leavesyellow colors. At different times of the year, the leaves change their shades soft, cold and warm.

Delightful color contrast: barberry and spirea

Spirea leaves of the Japanese variety Macrophylla also change color throughout the season.

Spirea Japanese Little Princess (Little Princess). This shrub lives up to its name. Rounded compact shape 0.8 m high, pink flowers, elliptical darkgreen leaves. The plant can become a hedge of extraordinary beauty. Spirea Japanese "princess" is generally the most beautiful of the varieties of this plant, and therefore has such a cute name. Even one single spirea bush Princess will decorate with its brightness any garden and will delight passers-by.

A hedge of miniature flowering shrubs of spirea Little Princess in a romantic corner of the garden

Spirea Japanese Gold Flame (Goldflame). The most powerful and fastest growing variety. The shrub can reach a height of one meter. Changes the color of the leaves during the season: orange-red - in spring, bright yellow - during flowering, copper-orange - in autumn. It takes root well in urban conditions.

Bright yellow, during the flowering period, Spirea leaves of the Goldflame variety

Spirea Japanese Shirobana... Chameleon shrub. Has flowers of different colors: from white-pink to bright red. The round shape reaches a diameter of one meter and a height of 0.8 m.

The Japanese spirea often has heart-shaped inflorescences, like this Shirobana spirea.

Spirea Japanese Crisp (Crispa). It will decorate any garden with its elegance and beauty. A low-growing shrub with a spherical crown shape, it has lush mauve flowers and wavy toothed leaves.

Graceful pink inflorescences of Spirea Crispa

Japanese spirea is often used as one of the basic plants in the design of Asian landscapes.

Planting Japanese spirea

Japanese spirea is planted in the autumn months or early spring, until the buds have blossomed. The difference is that it is recommended to plant spring-flowering varieties in the fall. In early spring, you can plant a variety that blooms in summer.

One of the most spectacular spirits of the spring flowering period, Spirea Snowmound. Thanks to the abundance of pure white flowers, the grace of thin arched branches, it makes a fascinating impression both near and at a distance.

Intense pink shade of small flowers of spirea of ​​the Japanese variety Froebelii

Preparation of seedlings

The open root system of the seedlings must be put in order before planting.Overgrown roots are shortened with a garden pruner. Damaged areas are removed in the same way. Branches also require correction, especially with overdried roots. The aerial part of Japanese spirea is shortened by one third.

Before planting, seedlings with a closed root system are removed from the container and watered abundantly with water. A too dry clod of earth should be kept in water for some time before planting.

Beautiful contrast of irises and lemon-yellow leaves of Golden Carpet spirea

Choosing a place for planting Japanese spirea

The plant is very light-requiring. The shrub site should be sunny and fertile. When planning a planting site for spirea, it should be borne in mind that the roots of the plant grow strongly. Therefore, the distance between the pits must be at least 50 cm.

On homogeneous lands, spirea develops much more slowly; sod or leafy soil will be an excellent option.

Photophilousness and significant growth of the root system are the main points that must be considered when choosing a place for planting Japanese spirea

Decorative forms of the type of Japanese spirea - summer flowering

A pit for planting a plant is dug with strictly sheer walls. Its size should exceed the volume of the root system of the shrub by at least a third. Next, the pit is allowed to air for two days. For planting Japanese spirea is better to choose a rainy or just a cloudy day.

First, it is necessary to put drainage (broken brick, stones) on the bottom of the dug hole. Next, the garden soil is filled up, mixed with peat and river sand (on 2 parts of the land, one part of peat and sand).

The roots of the spirea sink into the hole, straighten out and cover them with earth up to the root collar. The soil around the seedling is compacted, it is advisable to mulch it with peat, after watering the bushes with two buckets of water.

Inflorescences of Japanese spirea flowers of different shades, from white to pink-purple, are collected in lush umbrellas about 5-6 cm in diameter

How to care for a plant

Although the plant is unpretentious, good and competent care for Japanese spirea causes its more vigorous growth. Regular weeding and mandatory loosening of the soil is required. Then the plant will certainly thank you with aesthetic pleasure from the beauty of its bright flowering. Japanese spirea amazes with its splendor. She tolerates a haircut very well. A beautiful and neatly trimmed shrub is used to create extraordinary hedges.

Spirea bush Golden Carpet, trimmed to the correct spherical shape

Commercial variety of Japanese spirea "Neon flash". Spirea hybrids are surprisingly viable and often outperform their parents in beauty.

Watering

Due to the shallow root system, the spirea does not tolerate drought well, therefore, during the dry season, it needs moderate watering: twice a month for each bush, 15 liters of water. The plant also needs plenty of water after pruning.

Japanese spirea and azalea in the garden with an Asian flavor

Due to the beautiful color of the leaves, miniature spirea varieties are also popular for creating bonsai.

Top dressing

In the soil where Japanese spirea is planted, it is necessary to annually close up mulch from peat, crushed bark or compost. Mandatory feeding of the plant with mineral fertilizers is carried out immediately after pruning the bush. Also in the middle of summer, it is advisable to feed the spirea with a liquid infusion of fermented mullein with superphosphate added to it: 10 g of superphosphate is needed for 10 liters of infusion.

Japanese spirea well accepts fertilizing with both mineral and organic fertilizers

Delicate pink inflorescences of Japanese spirea Little Princess

Correct pruning

Pruning Japanese spirea is necessary to give the bush a beautiful regular shape and to remove aging shoots.If shrubs that bloom in summer must be cut off in early spring, then the multi-colored species of this plant are cut off immediately after the color has disappeared, that is, in the fall.

Shoots must be shortened to large buds; dry ones are best removed altogether. When rejuvenating Japanese spirea, you should not be afraid to remove something superfluous. Good quality and bold pruning guarantees the birth of a large number of powerful young shoots.

If you do not prune, then the old shoots will tend to the bush to the ground, its tops will begin to dry out. Experienced gardeners recommend global pruning from the 4th year of plant life, leaving the height of the bush only 30 cm from the ground.

Spirea tolerates pruning well, do not be afraid to remove something extra, giving the plant shape

On the inflorescences of the Shiroban spirea, you can see flowers of both almost white and deep pink colors.

Reproduction of Japanese spirea

In addition to dividing the bush, the plant can be propagated in three more ways:

• using seeds;
• layering;
• by grafting.

Seeds of Japanese spirea do not retain varietal qualities, therefore, only those species that are not hybrids can be propagated in this way. It is better to sow seeds in spring in boxes with pre-moistened leafy soil. From above, the ground is mulched with peat. After 10 days, high-quality seeds will sprout, which are planted in open ground after three months.

Reproduction of Japanese spirea by layering must be done in early spring before the leaves bloom. To do this, the lower branches of the shrub are bent to the ground, attached in a horizontal position using, for example, wire and sprinkled with earth. These places are regularly watered. By the fall, independent shrubs will appear here.

Japanese spirea can be cut from the second half of June. For this, a straight shoot is cut into several pieces, which are planted in a mixture of river sand and peat in equal proportions. This method requires high humidity. Therefore, the cuttings must be sprayed with water and watered at least 4 times a day. For the winter, the cuttings are covered with leaves, and in the spring they dive to a new place.

Japanese spirea is preparing to bloom

Diseases and treatment of the plant

Japanese spirea is rarely exposed to disease. The most terrible pests for her can be the rose leafworm, aphids and spider mites.

Rose leafworm appears at the end of May. Caterpillars damage up to 60% of the leaves, they gnaw greens. Aphids suck out juice from young shoots, leaves and pedicels. In the fight against these pests, pyrimor (0.1%) is used. Using this tool guarantees 95% success.

Spider mite is the most dangerous pest for Japanese spirea. It can be detected by the presence of cobwebs, holes in the inflorescences, premature drying and leaf fall. The mite is especially active in dry summers. An effective result in the fight against this pest can be obtained using phosphamide (0.15-0.2%), acrex (0.2%) or karbofos (0.2-0.3%).

In the fight against pests, careful care of shrubs will also help: loosening the soil, timely feeding and watering the plant.

Lilac inflorescence of spirea Anthony Waterer in the shape of a heart

Japanese spirea - video

Japanese spirea - photo