Are Spirea Shrubs Evergreen? | Gardener’s Path

For those who’re on the lookout for a flexible blooming shrub, it’s laborious to go mistaken with spirea.

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

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.

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What’s to not love? Effectively, for those who’re searching for year-round foliage, this shrub can’t offer you that. Spirea vegetation should not evergreen.

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

Which may be a minor situation that you would be able to simply work round, given all of the constructive traits of those vegetation.

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 how you can domesticate these vegetation in your panorama.

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

Does Spirea Lose Leaves within the Winter?

Earlier than you determine to develop spireas after which are disenchanted of their winter look, it’s vital to do not forget that whereas they’re perennials, they don’t seem to be evergreens.

What’s the distinction? Perennials stay 12 months after 12 months, although they might expertise a interval of dormancy in between seasons of development.

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

Evergreens are perennials that maintain most of their leaves (or needles) all year long. They could shed a portion of older foliage occasionally however by no means develop into naked.

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

Spirea should not 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 kind of chilly hardy, however they are often grown as perennials in a lot of the US.

Their attraction begins in spring or early summer time after 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 would possibly encourage extra blooms, however finally, solely the inexperienced or yellow leaves will stay.

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

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

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

You’ll find suggestions for caring for spirea in winter in our information.

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, it’s possible you’ll not wish to plant a sprawling kind someplace it is going to be seen to all when it’s naked and the stems are brittle.

You might wish to keep away from rising it within the entrance backyard, for instance, or proper exterior an unlimited image window.

Dormancy Workarounds

For those who’re already hooked on spirea, I get that. These vegetation provide so many benefits, from the three-season magnificence to the attraction to pollinators and hummingbirds.

So, for those who’d prefer to develop them however aren’t obsessed with having dead-looking, dry shrubs within the winter panorama, think about just a few of those workarounds.

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

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

Whenever 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 may be taught extra about 9 interesting sorts in our information.

And don’t overlook you may 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 vegetation are so stunning and versatile that it appears affordable they’d want one season to lie dormant.

In spite of everything, the shrubs bloom in spring, keep inexperienced and leafy all through the summer time, after which coloration up fantastically in autumn. Shouldn’t they have the ability to 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 under awaits your enter.

And in case you are on the lookout for extra tips about choosing or caring for these deciduous decorative shrubs, learn these guides subsequent: