The Flowering Bridal Wreath or Spirea Bush in Garden Landscaping
When designing a plan for garden landscaping, it is often desirable to work in some flowers and plants that add splashes of color for additional definition and interest.
One of the many flowering plants which should be considered is the bridal wreath, also known as Spirea. It is a hearty old fashioned plant and is commonly found growing in the Northern Hemisphere. Interestingly, it is actually related to the family of roses.
This shrub is a fairly low maintenance plant and once established can be propagated from division of the root ball or it can quite easily be grown from cuttings of the woody stems.
Landscape Gardening
The bridal wreath shrub that I first saw as a child growing in my parent's yard was a thing of beauty. Next to the woods, the acreage where my parents built their home in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin had been a field with native grasses growing in it. Every single tree, shrub, and flower that graced our yard and garden space was lovingly planted by my parents. It was a blank canvas so-to-speak where my mother and father were able to create their own masterpiece and beautiful it was!
The cascading branches of the large bridal wreath shrub that would bear those striking white blossoms each spring were one of the bushes chosen to be used in the yard to add its own particular beauty.
The pictures taken and shown in this article are from a neighbor's yard in Houston, Texas. Showing the fountain-like branches dipping down to the ground festooned with the many brilliant white blossoms it makes me think of the bridal wreath bushes in my parent's yard in those early days of my childhood.
What to Know Before Planting
The bridal wreath (or Spirea) comes from the family Rosaceae and from the cultivar Plena.
- When planting this shrub, one must allow plenty of space around it so that the effect of its cascading growth habit can be fully appreciated.
- It can commonly grow to be about 6 feet in height with a width of almost the same. Grown as a specimen plant it can be admired from every angle.
- If grown as a hedge, just allow enough space between each plant so that it has a chance to grow and spread naturally.
- Often, gardeners do not take the mature size of a plant into consideration when first planting the smaller sizes purchased in nurseries. The newly planted shrubs are then forced to compete for water, nutrients, and even enough circulating air to remain healthy.
- This is a deciduous plant meaning that it loses its leaves in the wintertime.
- It likes full sun but can tolerate partial shade as long as it gets at least 6 hours of sun daily.
- When in glorious bloom in mid to late Spring, it attracts butterflies. What it does not attract is deer munching on its branches. This is good to know for people who are seeking shrubs and plants and who have deer regularly visiting their gardens.
- Perhaps it is the salicylates that are contained within the branches of this shrub (an aspirin-like component) that repels the deer. Rabbits and other critters will also not be prone to chew on the bridal wreath branches.
- What makes this plant really attractive is its hardiness.
- It can tolerate every type of condition ranging from the windy seashore to hot and humid conditions such as are found in Houston in the summertime to drought conditions or even polluted areas.
Gardening Tips: Great Spireas for your garden
Varieties of Spirea
There are many types of this kind of shrub including dwarf varieties which can blossom more than one time a year if pruned back after flowering.
The greatest variety of species can be found in eastern Asia. There are anywhere from 80 to 100 species of Spirea, also sometimes spelled Spiraea.
If your garden space does not allow one to plant a 6 foot specimen, there are other choices. There are low growing mounded varieties that also bloom in other colors and sport different colors of leaves.
In addition to the bridal wreath, some of the other varieties among which to choose in nurseries or online include the following:
- Anthony Waterer
- Daphne
- Gold Flame
- Magic Carpet
- Little Princess
- Lime Mound
- Gold Mound
- and there are others. The choices are many!
Pruning Techniques
On the larger shrubs, some experts recommend pruning them back by 1/3rd after flowering every year.
Some of the smaller growing varieties are literally cut back to just above ground level each year.
This is a method called "stumping."
During the growing and blooming season with the smaller to medium varieties of spirea they can be pruned back with clippers or even a hedge trimmer and they will likely re-bloom possibly even several times if this is done regularly depending upon the variety.

Every gardener needs a good clipper like this. I use mine to cut back the smaller branches of shrubs & trees. I also use mine to cut flowers such as roses.
Hopefully you enjoyed learning about the different varieties of this showy shrub which can be used in your home garden design when wanting a hardy but also beautiful flowering shrub.
If you are a bride getting married in the springtime of the year and wish to have a natural hair adornment, hold in your bouquet or have in flower arrangements, what could be more natural than the fragrant bridal wreath to make that special day even more memorable?
Did you know about the bridal wreath plant or other types of spirea?
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Questions & Answers
Can you prune a bridal wreath in the fall for new growth/flowers in the spring?
You can cut dead or diseased branches out of bridal wreath plants any time of year. The best time to trim spirea or bridal wreath bushes for maintenance purposes for spring blooming plants is after they have finished blooming. Next years blossoms will be on the old wood.
How tall and wide does the bridal wreath grow?
The bridal wreath shrub can grow to six or more feet in height, and the width can be just as wide or even more so. That makes them excellent specimen shrubs, or they can make an excellent hedge as well.
Helpful 1Is there a bridal wreath tree?
Bridal wreath or spireas only grow as shrubs, and not trees.
Helpful 1Can the bridal wreath shrub tolerate cold temperatures?
The bridal wreath shrub can definitely withstand cold temperatures. My parents used to grow it in Wisconsin, and it is grown here in Houston. According to a map of USDA Plant Hardiness Zones, it can be grown nicely in Zones 4 to 8, which covers the majority of the continental U.S.
What is the blooming season of the bridal wreath shrub?
Mid to late spring is when you will start seeing the beautiful blossoms covering the branches of the bridal wreath shrub.
© 2011 Peggy Woods
Comments are always welcomed.
My Grandmother had a wrap-around porch. Since her house was a Victorian, it was large. All around the porch they had planted bridal wreaths. Because of that I'll always think of them fondly.
We had one of these shrubs growing up. I haven't seen any in a while. Thanks for sharing this.
This is a very helpful article for people wondering what they want to do to spruce up their yard by adding something new and how to do it, etc. Beautiful photos as always. Pinned to AH and shared on HP.
Yes it has definitely warmed up here in North Texas. It's been just right most of the time. Wish it could remain between 60 and 70 degrees everyday. Been in the upper 80s and even got past 90 a couple of times already.
A great informative article for people planning this year's spring landscaping. Already pinned to my 'Trees, Plants, & Flowers' board and tonight I'm pinning it to my 'White' board, which is quite popular. I think your photos are re-pinned from my boards more than anyone else's.
Revisiting this article and pinning it to my "Trees, Plants, & Flowers" board.
I to come back and add this hub to my garden board on Pinterest.
We have the bridal wreath in our yard and I love them. I bury the branches in the ground to start a new bush. Voted up and more.
I had a bridal wreath at our previous house. It was so beautiful when it bloomed! I wish I had tried to take some of it with me. I may have to look for another one come this spring. Thank you for reminding me of it! Voting this up and sharing here and on my Flower Garden Get-a-Way blog! Have a wonderful day, Peggy! :)
Hi, I don't know how I missed this one, I probably didn't have you on my feed some months ago. I loved it. Gave it 5 stars, voted up, and ABI! Also shared all over. Have a good day and keep them coming!
I live in an apartment, so if I were to garden it would have to be in containers. I remember my grandmother loved Bridal Wreath and had it in her garden. As a small child I loved the tours of her garden that she always gave us when we visited.
Voted up, BAUI, gave you 5 stars, and will share!
I really enjoyed this. Your pictures are beautiful!!!
Oh, Peggy - I love a plant that deer hate! We lose so many flowers to deer in the spring and summer months. I'll have to look into a Bridal Wreath Spirea for our front yard!
I love the name of this plant, Peggy. "Bridal Wreath" conjures up such a lovely picture! I like the cascading form of the shrub, too. It's very attractive. Thank you for the useful information.
I enjoyed reading your article and viewing your pictures, good hub.
They are so beautiful. That's it, I'm going to have to find some plants/flowers that are hearty and can handle the heat and the rainy season here. Very useful, beautiful, up hub.
Planted one by the woods 3 weeks ago, and it's been blooming ever since. Gorgeous! Before reading your article, I hadn't realized that they are easy to start from cuttings. Will have to give it a try. Can I root new a one like a forsythia by placing a rock on a limb?
During the growing and blooming season with the smaller to medium varieties of spirea they can be pruned back with clippers or even a hedge trimmer and they will likely re-bloom possibly even several times........................Good Artical
Beautiful. Enjoyed the photos and videos as well as the info.
I like Bridal Wreath, it's easy to maintain and their blooms are beautiful. They are a lovely addition to the landscape as long as there is enough space for them to spread and thrive as they do. I can't wait for Spring planting :) Thanks for the excellent information.
Beautiful and informative. I learned something new today. This one looks like a one of those stunners in the garden that attracts all attention to itself. Enjoyed it!!
What a great hub and so beautiful too! Those flowers are simply amazing, what a stunning addition to a garden! Thank you for sharing!
My neighbor has a beautiful spirea bush that has been thriving for 20+years.It blooms every year and provides a shelter for the sparrows.Spring!:)
Peggy,
The beauty of the spirea gives me spring fever. Your hub and videos on garden landscaping with flowering plants using bridal wreath is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the helpful tips and the beauty of the spirea.
Hi Peggy! I love spirea and it's so nice to see those pictures now in blah winter. That soft wash of white against the dark green foliage is just beautiful.
Hi Peggy - Well, this good stuff makes for great reading right now (wishing and longing maybe ??? ) but at 21 degrees outside, I will sit it out for now.
Gus :-)))
Yes covering after a few days gets harder - we will see - sometimes they surprise with their hardiness.
Peggy another great gardening hub! Can you believe 4 days of under 32 F in Houston!
I did not know about the Bridal Wreath. What gorgeous pictures. Thanks for the idea and the tips.
I never knew spirea could be pruned! Thank you for the most interesting hub!!
Awesomely beautiful! Great post Peggy. Very informative as always. God bless you Peggy!
They do look nice.Our yard is about as full as I want it to be but I'll pass the information on to anyone who wants a deer resistant plant.
I hear Texas got some cold weather recently. My wife's aunt told her it is colder there than she has ever seen it.
I love gardening , It is a great hobby. I enjoyed reading your hub. Well done:)
My mom loves gardening and I have to bookmark this hub for her. Thanks for sharing this amazing hub :) God bless..
66