How to care your spirea bush

Spiraea belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is native to the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. It comprises about 100 species. Some species of this genus are: Spiraea cantoniensis, Spiraea arguta, Spiraea prunifolia, Spiraea japonica, Spiraea salicifolia, Spiraea acuminata, Spiraea x vanhouttei (hybrid).

If you need a deciduous shrub that produces a lot of pink or white flowers and is easy to care for, you will find few like some varieties of Spiraea, including one of the most recognized Spirea japan. Not only is it beautiful, but it also resists intense frosts, so it can be found in temperate climates without problems.

Spirea: description of the plant

Most varieties are not very tall, but all species grow rapidly. Spirea is a welcome guest in the garden, since she is not capricious when she leaves, she is not afraid of partial shade, although she is photophilic, she adapts easily after transplanting, pruning, practically does not get sick and is not damaged by pests. Most plants are resistant to winter, but there are thermophilic species from the south.

The Spirea plant is a lush bush with beautiful foliage and dense and elegant inflorescences, collected from small flowers. Depending on the species, spireas bloom in spring and summer, sometimes until late autumn. The color of the flowers can be white, pink, less often red. The height of the bushes reaches more than two meters, there are dwarf varieties. The stems are erect, fallen and creeping. The shape of the crown can be spherical, pyramidal and cascading. The shape of the leaves is oblong, the edges with teeth, the length of the leaves is two to ten centimeters. The spirea of ??the garden flower during flowering forms large inflorescences, the shape of which varies depending on the type of umbrella, cluster or thyroid. Small flowers have five petals, most often bisexual flowers. After flowering, fruits are formed: leaflets with winged seeds.

How to care your spirea bush

If you want to have a copy, we recommend taking care of it as follows:

* LOCATION: exterior, in full sun or semi-shade.

* SOIL: In the garden it tolerates a great variety of soils, but prefers those that are acidic, with good drainage, and fresh. While in a pot you need a substrate for acidic plants, or mix 70% akadama with 30% kiryuzuna.

* IRRIGATION: frequent, especially in summer. Water 4-5 times a week during the hottest season, and every 3 or 4 days the rest. Use rainwater or without lime.

* FERTILIZATION: from the beginning of spring until the end of summer, with a specific fertilizer for acidic plants following the indications specified on the package.

* REPRODUCTION: by seeds and cuttings in spring.

* PRUNING: the ideal time for pruning your spirea is autumn, wait for that time to remove dry, diseased or weak branches, and trim those that are growing too much.

* RUSTICITY: resists frost up to -15ºC.

* DISEASES: The most frequent are Oidio, and some fungi. Oidio can appear in humid and poorly ventilated locations. It manifests itself in the form of white powder in leaves and stems. Apply antioid fungicide, for example, Sulfur. Hogs such as Cylindrosporium filipendulae can produce red spots on its leaves. It can be prevented with treatments with copper, Zineb and others.

* PESTS: in the most frequent plangas are aphids, cohihillas and cicada caterpillars. For them, regular control is essential for an early detection of possible pests.

Enjoy your plant ????.