Are Spirea Shrubs Evergreen? | Gardener’s Path

In the event you’re in search of a flexible blooming shrub, it’s onerous to go improper with spirea.

The various species throughout the Spiraea genus are straightforward to develop and hardy in USDA Zones 4 to eight, relying on the kind.

They ship three-season curiosity, with clusters of flowers showing in both Might to June or July to September, and attention-grabbing foliage that turns right into a riot of colours in autumn.

A vertical photo of a spirea shrub with green leafy foliage and bright pink flowers. Green and white text span the center and along the bottom of the photo.

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What’s to not love? Nicely, in the event you’re in search of year-round foliage, this shrub can’t offer you that. Spirea crops will not be evergreen.

These deciduous crops lose their leaves and go dormant in winter.

That could be a minor subject which you could simply work round, given all of the constructive traits of those crops.

Or perhaps its lack of evergreen foliage will disqualify this woody shrub from a spot in your backyard design.

Our information to rising spirea covers the best way to domesticate these crops in your panorama.

However earlier than you resolve whether or not this shrub is best for you, let’s have a look at these subjects:

Does Spirea Lose Leaves within the Winter?

Earlier than you resolve to develop spireas after which are disenchanted of their winter look, it’s necessary to keep in mind that whereas they’re perennials, they aren’t evergreens.

A horizontal close up of a woman's hands in green gardening gloves removing the roots of a bush from the ground, and preparing the transplant for planting.

What’s the distinction? Perennials reside yr after yr, although they might expertise a interval of dormancy in between seasons of progress.

Some reside for a few years, others develop for many years.

Evergreens are perennials that hold most of their leaves (or needles) all year long. They could shed a portion of older foliage every so often however by no means grow to be naked.

A horizontal close up of white flowered spirea branches on a bright spring morning.

These crops that drop their leaves throughout the winter months are described as deciduous, and in lots of circumstances the foliage adjustments coloration in fall earlier than it’s shed, abandoning naked branches.

Spirea will not be evergreen, they lose their leaves within the winter. Learn on to be taught extra about their life cycle.

The Spirea Life Cycle

The genus Spiraea contains about 80 totally different woody shrub species.

Their hardiness vary is between USDA Zones 4 to eight. Relying on the species, they might be roughly chilly hardy, however they are often grown as perennials in many of the US.

A horizontal shot of a thin branch of bright green early spring leaves illuminated by the sun. Other bare branches and a tree trunk are blurred in the background.

Their attraction begins in spring or early summer time once they blossom with clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers. These are nectar-rich and can draw hummingbirds and pollinators.

As soon as the flowers fade, constant deadheading may encourage extra blooms, however ultimately, solely the inexperienced or yellow leaves will stay.

A horizontal shot of a spirea in a garden in full bloom. The shrub is covered in light pink and white flowers.

As summer time provides technique to autumn, the leaves change coloration whereas remaining on the plant.

Some varieties are thought-about a best choice for lovely orange fall coloration, whereas others sport leaves patterned or edged with bronze, burgundy, yellow, or varied different hues.

With the appearance of winter chilly, or merely the shorter days in hotter areas, these shrubs lose their leaves earlier than going dormant.

A horizontal close up of dried brances of a plant in the garden, in a snowy, winter scene.

They’re not evergreen, however some gardeners think about the stark branches with the dry seed heads enticing within the winter panorama.

You will discover suggestions for caring for spirea in winter in our information.

A horizontal photo of a Spiraea bush surrounded by purple leaved barberry, juniper, blue spruce, and stonecrop plants.

Earlier than deciding the place, or if, to develop spirea in your backyard, think about its winter look.

In case your space doesn’t expertise a lot snow in winter, for instance, you might not need to plant a sprawling sort someplace will probably be seen to all when it’s naked and the stems are brittle.

It’s possible you’ll need to keep away from rising it within the entrance backyard, for instance, or proper outdoors an enormous image window.

Dormancy Workarounds

In the event you’re already hooked on spirea, I get that. These crops supply so many benefits, from the three-season magnificence to the attraction to pollinators and hummingbirds.

A horizontal shot of a white-flowering plant potted on a deck next to an above ground pool.

So, in the event you’d wish to develop them however aren’t keen about having dead-looking, dry shrubs within the winter panorama, think about a couple of of those workarounds.

First, you’ll be able to develop your spirea in containers and spirit them away to a protected however not conspicuous space for his or her dormant months.

A horizontal shot of the seeds of a Spiraea shrub with white snow on some of the branches against a blue background on a sunny winter day.

Or, think about selecting one of many smaller varieties to develop so you’ll be able to place it subsequent to an evergreen within the panorama.

If you plant a Japanese spirea (S. japonica) like Magic Carpet that spreads two or three ft as a substitute of eight ft, it’s fairly straightforward to tolerate it sparse within the winter panorama.

You’ll be able to be taught extra about 9 interesting varieties in our information.

And don’t overlook you’ll be able to at all times plant the spirea the place you need their blooms and colourful foliage throughout the rising season, then camouflage them with strategically positioned container-grown evergreens within the chilly months.

For detailed info on rising shrubs in containers, see our information.

One Season of Relaxation

These crops are so lovely and versatile that it appears affordable they’d want one season to lie dormant.

A horizontal photo of a spirea shrub with small white flowers filling the entire frame.

In spite of everything, the shrubs bloom in spring, keep inexperienced and leafy all through the summer time, after which coloration up superbly in autumn. Shouldn’t they be capable of take the winter off?

Have you ever decided whether or not spirea will fit your backyard design and rising wants, or do you continue to have questions on their winter dormancy? The feedback part beneath awaits your enter.

And if you’re in search of extra recommendations on deciding on or caring for these deciduous decorative shrubs, learn these guides subsequent: