Bridal wreath
Spring flowering
Spring flowering
Prune only right after flowering — this is the spring-flowering half of a genus that is deliberately split into two templates because the summer-flowering group needs the opposite pruning timing; mixing the two up is the single biggest risk to a good flower display.
Care
Flowers most freely in full sun.
Fairly drought-tolerant once established.
Adaptable, well-drained soil of most types.
Prune immediately after flowering, cutting back flowered shoots to strong new growth. This group flowers on the previous year's wood — the opposite timing to the summer-flowering group of this genus — so pruning in winter or spring removes the coming display rather than encouraging it.
A general feed with a mulch after flowering, when it is making the wood that carries next spring's flowers. Undemanding otherwise — on decent soil the mulch alone does the job.
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or lift a rooted sucker from the base in the dormant season. Both are straightforward; the suckers need no equipment at all.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilEnjoy the mass of small white flowers along arching branches.
- MayPrune immediately after flowering, cutting back flowered shoots to strong new growth. how ›
- JuneFeed lightly as new growth extends after pruning. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilEnjoy the mass of small white flowers along arching branches.
- MayPrune immediately after flowering, cutting back flowered shoots to strong new growth. how ›
- JuneFeed lightly as new growth extends after pruning. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchEnjoy the mass of small white flowers along arching branches.
- AprilPrune immediately after flowering, cutting back flowered shoots to strong new growth. how ›
- JuneFeed lightly as new growth extends after pruning. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchEnjoy the mass of small white flowers along arching branches.
- AprilPrune immediately after flowering, cutting back flowered shoots to strong new growth. how ›
- JuneFeed lightly as new growth extends after pruning. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Sparse or absent spring flowering.
What to do. Almost always from pruning at the wrong time — check you're pruning right after flowering, not in winter or early spring, which removes the flower buds for this group.
How to spot it. On soft new growth in spring.
What to do. Encourage predators; tolerate low levels.
How to spot it. Spotting or early leaf loss in a wet summer.
What to do. Usually cosmetic; improve air circulation by thinning congested growth.
Japanese spiraea
Japanese spiraea
Prune hard in late winter/early spring — this is the summer-flowering half of a genus deliberately split into two templates because the spring-flowering group needs the opposite pruning timing; mixing the two up is the single biggest risk to a good flower display.
Care
Needs full sun for the best flowering and, on coloured-leaf cultivars, the best foliage colour.
Adaptable, well-drained soil of most types.
Cut back hard in late winter or early spring, to a low framework of shoots. This group flowers on the current season's growth — the opposite timing to the spring-flowering group of this genus — so a hard early-spring prune encourages the strongest summer display rather than removing it.
A general feed at the spring cut-back, since these flower on the current year's growth and the feed supports the new shoots that carry it.
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or hardwood cuttings after leaf fall. The golden-leaved forms should be propagated from well-coloured shoots, since reverted green growth roots just as well and gives a plain plant.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- FebruaryCut back hard to a low framework while still dormant, to encourage strong flowering growth. how ›
- AprilFeed as growth resumes. how ›
- JulyDeadhead spent flower clusters to prolong the summer display. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryCut back hard to a low framework while still dormant, to encourage strong flowering growth. how ›
- AprilFeed as growth resumes. how ›
- JulyDeadhead spent flower clusters to prolong the summer display. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Sparse summer flowering.
What to do. Usually from not cutting back hard enough in late winter/early spring — this group flowers on new growth, so a harder prune generally means more flowers, not fewer.
How to spot it. On soft new growth.
What to do. Encourage predators; tolerate low levels.
How to spot it. Spotting in a wet summer.
What to do. Usually cosmetic; improve air circulation.
Popular varieties
Questions
Bridal wreath: is it hardy?
H6: Hardy in the vast majority of UK gardens. It survives down to −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Spring flowering: Tolerates a large pot for a few years while young, though it performs best long-term in open ground. Japanese spiraea: Compact cultivars, often grown for coloured foliage, do well in a pot.
Bridal wreath: when do you prune it?
Spring flowering: Prune immediately after flowering, cutting back flowered shoots to strong new growth. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in May. Japanese spiraea: Cut back hard in late winter or early spring, to a low framework of shoots. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in February.
Bridal wreath: when does it flower?
Spring flowering: In the climate of UK it flowers in April–May. Japanese spiraea: In the climate of UK it flowers in June–August.
When do you feed it?
Spring flowering: A general feed with a mulch after flowering, when it is making the wood that carries next spring's flowers. Undemanding otherwise — on decent soil the mulch alone does the job. Feeding months, UK: April. Japanese spiraea: A general feed at the spring cut-back, since these flower on the current year's growth and the feed supports the new shoots that carry it. Feeding months, UK: April.