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Spiraea thunbergii (Thunberg Spirea)

Thunberg Spirea, Breath of Spring Spirea, Baby’s Breath Spirea

AGM Award
Spiraea thunbergii, Thunberg Spirea, Breath of Spring Spirea, White Flowers, Flowering shrub, Baby’s Breath Spirea
Spiraea thunbergii, Thunberg Spirea, Breath of Spring Spirea, White Flowers, Flowering shrub, Baby’s Breath Spirea
Spiraea thunbergii, Thunberg Spirea, Breath of Spring Spirea, White Flowers, Flowering shrub, Baby’s Breath Spirea

Noted for its spectacular spring blossoms, Spiraea thunbergii (Thunberg Spirea) is a dense, twiggy, upright, deciduous shrub with gracefully outward-arching branches. In mid to late spring, abundant clusters of tiny white flowers line the slender, naked branches producing an incredible pretty display. The foliage of small, narrow light green leaves turns yellow in fall, sometimes tinged soft reddish-brown. Highly popular for its wealth of white blossoms, Thunberg Spirea is an easy care shrub that is perfect for foundation plantings and hedges.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall and wide (90-150 cm).
  • A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade as well as a wide range of soil conditions. Some drought tolerance once established.
  • Perfect choice for borders, foundation plantings, hedges, banks and slopes or as a specimen plant.
  • Attracts butterflies but is ignored by deer.
  • No serious pest and disease problems. Watch for leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew, root rot, aphids, leaf roller and scale.
  • Prune as needed immediately after flowering.
  • Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer
  • Native to China, Japan

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Spiraea
Common names Spirea
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spacing 36" - 60"
(90cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spirea)
Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush)
Spiraea betulifolia (Birchleaf Spirea)
Spiraea splendens (Rose Meadowsweet)
Spiraea alba (White Meadowsweet)
Spiraea x cinerea ‘Grefsheim’ (Garland Spirea)

Recommended Companion Plants

Prunus ‘Kanzan’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)
Forsythia ‘Happy Centennial’

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
45 Terrific Shrubs for Stunning Container Gardens
Add a Splash of Color: Perfect Flowering Shrubs for Small Gardens
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
Native Plant Alternatives to Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spirea)
Native Plant Alternatives to Spiraea prunifolia (Bridal Wreath)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Spiraea
Common names Spirea
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spacing 36" - 60"
(90cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Spiraea (Spirea)
Not sure which Spiraea (Spirea) to pick?
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