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 six 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.
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 content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
Questions & Answers
I recently moved into a home that has bridal wreath along one side of the property line, approximately 20' worth. Unfortunately, it was never properly taken care of & it's very large & scraggly. I would like to trim it back, but I'm not sure how far to take it back without destroying the plant. How can I trim back our bridal wreath to a more manageable size?
The good news is that spireas can be cut back severely, even just above ground level, and they rebound. Cut branches at a 45-degree angle with clean pruning shears or a saw if the branches are large. However, depending upon where you live, you might wish to wait until after next year's blooming period to do that. If you live in a cold climate, the new growth that comes from a pruning needs to harden off before freezing weather.
You could probably safely cut it back by a third right now no matter where you live and it would not kill the plant. You would also enjoy the flowers next year. Buds form on old wood from the previous year. So it is your choice.
Helpful 1What is the best variety of the Large Bridal Wreath for use as a hedge?
Almost any full-sized bridal wreath shrub will work as a hedge if planted close enough together to function as a hedge. Be sure to trim the hedge shortly after blooming. If you do it later in the year, you will be cutting off what will blossom the following year.
If you have a local botanical garden, often the plants in them are what grows best in your area. You could also check with a master gardener in your locale to see what grows best. Some good nurseries have trained people who can also assist you.
Helpful 1I did not see the width needed for a bridal wreath plant. I just planted it in a large container. Should I take it out and put it in the ground now or later?
Spirea shrubs can grow to be as wide as they are tall. It depends upon the type of spirea you have as to how large it will ultimately become. Some of the smaller varieties grow to a height of around three feet while others top out at approximately ten feet. When you plant it in the ground give it plenty of room for those wide-arching branches to spread out and show off their pretty flowers each spring season.
Helpful 7Do bridal wreath stay in bloom all summer?
Bridal wreath shrubs bloom for quite some time but not all summer long.
Helpful 2My bridal wreath stopped blooming, so we cut them back very low, and it’s been almost two blooming seasons, and they have done nothing: They are probably 20+ years old. Do I need to replace them?
Sometimes that is the best answer. There is a term limit to all living things. We had to do that with some of our older shrubs when they were not performing as expected. If you know that your soil and all other ingredients such as good drainage, the right amount of sun/shade, moisture, and nourishment are correct, then perhaps it is time to retire the old and bring in the new.
Helpful 11
© 2011 Peggy Woods
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Comments Are Always Welcomed.
- AUTHOR
Hi Mary,
If you are sure that the branches are dead, you can trim them back any time of the year. Scrape the bark to see if there is any green underneath. If so, cut it back to where some green shows. It may sprout from that point. If not, feel free to cut them back as far to the ground as you wish.
I have a lot of dead branches through out my bushes. Should I trim them all the way back in the fall and start fresh?
- AUTHOR
Hi Sherry,
It is so nice to have shrubs like that which need little care once established.
I had a spirea bush in my yard at my old house in California. It was practically bullet proof. As you say, deer did not touch it, and it grew large and beautiful with no supplemental water in our climate, which was very hot and dry in the summer.
- AUTHOR
Hi Dale,
Your comment had me laughing. Just let your wife do the planting and gardening. All will be well. Haha!
I have to be honest, my total knowledge of anything to do with flowers goes like this: if I even walk past a florist, all of the plants die. My wife is trying to grow some now so I think she'd prefer it if I stayed at sea and didn't come anywhere near her new hobby.
- AUTHOR
Hi LuAnn,
There is no reason that you cannot transfer your bridal wreath shrub that has been in a pot to the ground. If you think about it, many shrubs are kept in containers in nurseries waiting until they are sold. Your bush will enjoy having more space in the ground for its roots to spread out and take in moisture and nutrients. I can hear it breathing a sigh of relief now! (Smile)
I planted my Bridal Wreath Dpirea Shrub in a pot, after a year, I would like to plant it in the ground. Is that okay?
- AUTHOR
Hi Paula,
Bridal wreath shrubs can be successfully grown in USDA plant zones 3 to 8, so the bushes should do well in Tennessee if all the other conditions are met. Best wishes!
Hi - wondering if a Bridal Wreath would do well in Crossville, TN
Thanks much!
- AUTHOR
Hi Barbara,
It sounds like your grandmother's home was lovely with all of those bridal wreath shrubs planted around her wrap-around porch. Nice that you have those fond memories.
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.
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- AUTHOR
Hi Rebecca,
A bridal wreath shrub takes up quite a bit of space when full grown. I only see a few of them in our subdivision. Perhaps that is the reason you are not seeing them as frequently? At least you know what they are having grown up with them.
- AUTHOR
Hi Au fait,
The bridal wreath can certainly add interest to one's yard and it is especially pretty when festooned with those white flowers. We reached 89 degrees yesterday but with high humidity it felt warmer here in Houston. I was outside doing some yard work and was happy to get back inside and take a nice refreshing shower. Looking forward to the upcoming predicted rain this weekend as the ground where I was planting things was dry.
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.
- AUTHOR
Hi Au fait,
Appreciate your pins. Hopefully you are starting to enjoy some spring weather in Texas although we are having another unusual cold front again tonight in mid-April. Crazy year weather wise!
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.
- AUTHOR
Thanks Au fait.
These are such rewarding Spring blooming shrubs.
Revisiting this article and pinning it to my "Trees, Plants, & Flowers" board.
- AUTHOR
Hi moonlake,
Thanks for the pin. Do you have bridal wreath shrubs in your large yard? You certainly have the space for them. :)
I to come back and add this hub to my garden board on Pinterest.
- AUTHOR
Hi moonlake,
That is an easy way to propagate more bridal wreath bushes. Nice that you have them and can enjoy them in your own surroundings. Thanks for your comment.
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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.
- AUTHOR
Hi Sheila,
So glad that reading this reminded you of the Bridal Wreath that you used to have at your previous house. They surely are spectacular when in bloom! Thanks for the vote up and share. Will have to check out your Flower Garden Get-a-Way blog. :)
- AUTHOR
Hi joanveronica,
So happy to hear that you enjoyed reading this hub about the Bridal Wreath shrub. Thanks for the 5 stars, votes and the sharing of this with others.
- AUTHOR
Hi Au fait,
Your memories of visiting your grandmother's garden with her Bridal Wreath and other plants are obviously cherished and well remembered. Nice! So glad that you liked this hub. Thanks for your votes, the 5 star rating and the share. Much appreciated! :)
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!
- AUTHOR
Hello nancynurse,
Thanks for letting me know that you liked this bridal wreath hub by leaving a comment. Much appreciated!
- AUTHOR
Hi Leah,
Nice to know that there are some plants like the bridal wreath shrubs that deer do not like munching upon that can grace your yard with beauty. Thanks for your comment.
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!
- AUTHOR
Hi Alicia,
Yes, the cascading growth habit of the bridal wreath shrub is lovely to be sure. Glad that you enjoyed this hub. Thanks for your comment.
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.
- AUTHOR
Hi Coolmon2009,
So nice to hear that you enjoyed looking at photos and learning about the bridal wreath (spirea) shrubs. Appreciate your comment.
I enjoyed reading your article and viewing your pictures, good hub.
- AUTHOR
Hi Charlu,
I would think that bridal wreath ( spirea ) would suit the plan perfectly. It is pretty hardy! Thanks for reading, commenting and casting votes. Appreciate it!
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.
- AUTHOR
Hello The Dirt Farmer,
I have not personally rooted a spirea that way, but why not try? It works for many other plants. Thanks for taking the time to read this hub about the bridal wreath and leaving a comment.
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?
- AUTHOR
Hello kimboy9-9,
Pruning spirea or bridal wreath as you say can successfully bring more blossoms. You must have some experience with these flowering plants in your garden landscaping, I am guessing. Thanks for the comment.
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
- AUTHOR
Hello Denise,
Happy to hear that you enjoyed this hub about using the Bridal Wreath or Spirea in garden landscaping. It is truly a showstopper when in full bloom. Thanks for the comment.
Beautiful. Enjoyed the photos and videos as well as the info.
- AUTHOR
Hi Becky,
I agree with you in that the full grown Bridal Wreath shrubs need a large space. They certainly make a statement when in full bloom in anyone's garden landscaping! Thanks for your comment. I think at this point in early February most people are looking forward to Spring. :-)
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.
- AUTHOR
Hello sofs,
That it is indeed! When the bridal wreath is in full bloom is is a show stopper! I'm going to check into growing some of those smaller types of spirea and work them into our garden landscaping. The cold temperatures of below freezing for several days running (most unusual) in Houston will be taking its toll on some of my usual plantings. The nurseries probably LOVE this kind of weather! They get to sell more replacement plants. Thanks for your comment.
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!!
- AUTHOR
Hello erthfrend,
I agree that the bridal wreath and other types of spirea are great additions to any garden landscaping if one wishes to have flowering plants in the garden that are also hardy and easy care. Glad you liked this hub and thanks for the comment.
What a great hub and so beautiful too! Those flowers are simply amazing, what a stunning addition to a garden! Thank you for sharing!
- AUTHOR
Hello glowingrocks,
It is a beautiful thing to behold...a bridal wreath or spirea shrub in full blooming glory. Nice that you get to enjoy your neighbor's flowering plants! These are definitely hardy shrubs! Here is to the upcoming Spring and those sparrows who like to call your neighbor's bridal wreath home! I think that by this time of year (Feb. 6) most everyone is eagerly awaiting Spring. Thanks for the comment.
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!:)
- AUTHOR
Hi Cheryl,
Spring is just around the corner...another month or so. Thanks for commenting on this hub about garden landscaping using flowering plants such as the bridal wreath or many other types of spirea. Thanks for your comment.
- AUTHOR
Hello Dolores,
I know...I am jumping the season somewhat by posting this hub about garden landscaping using the bridal wreath or spirea in the wintertime. I had actually taken these pictures last Spring and intended to write about them. Just shows how late I am in posting. Haha! Oh well...it should be an evergreen subject and Spring IS hopefully just around the corner. Thanks for your comment.
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.
- AUTHOR
Hello Gus,
We can dream of warmer days ahead, can't we? Haha! I remember the days of living in Wisconsin in the dead of Winter and ordering Spring bulbs to be delivered at the right time for planting. Thus...this garden landscaping with flowering plants using the bridal wreath or spirea is just for planning purposes at this point. LOL Thanks for the comment.
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 :-)))
- AUTHOR
Agreed. Will keep our fingers crossed! :-)
Yes covering after a few days gets harder - we will see - sometimes they surprise with their hardiness.
- AUTHOR
Hi Billy,
This weather is unusual for Houston to say the least. Not many people out and about today since the roads were covered with ice. Our more tropical plants will undoubtedly take a hit with these freezing temperatures. We have a bunch of things covered with old sheets, but that can do only so much to protect them. I guess time will tell how our flowering plants and other plants in our gardens will fare!
- AUTHOR
Hello Mrs. J.B.,
Happy that I could introduce you to the Bridal Wreath and other spirea flowering plants. They are real beauties and hardy ones at that for garden landscaping. Thanks for the comment.
- AUTHOR
Hello Tuesdays child,
I also learned a few things when doing the research for this garden landscaping hub using the bridal wreath or spirea as flowering plants. Pruning makes sense as most plants at one time or another can use a little shaping. Knowing that some of those smaller spireas will bloom again by having them pruned makes it worth one's while to do so. Thanks for the comment.
- AUTHOR
Hello Micky,
Glad you enjoyed this hub about the bridal wreath and the other types of spirea. I'll bet that you see some of them in the gardens around where you live. Am I correct? Thanks for your comment.
Peggy another great gardening hub! Can you believe 4 days of under 32 F in Houston!
- AUTHOR
Hello dahoglund,
Yes these bridal wreath and spirea plants are perfect for those who wish flowering plants in their garden landscaping and don't wish to lose them due to the deer making a feast out of them. The deer will leave these spirea plants alone and move on to other more tasty things.
As to our weather... Houston is essentially shut down today. No air service, no metro bus or other transportation. We did not get the predicted snow but we got freezing rain and ice and with the temperatures no one except essential personnel should be out on the highways. LOTS of accidents! Will get above freezing this afternoon for a short time and then refreeze again tonight.
We are definitely having the coldest temperatures of the season...not quite record breaking, but almost.
I did not know about the Bridal Wreath. What gorgeous pictures. Thanks for the idea and the tips.
- AUTHOR
Hello katrinasui,
Yes, gardening is fun. Happy to hear that you enjoyed reading this hub about garden landscaping with flowering plants...specifically the bridal wreath or spirea. It is a beauty when it is in full bloom! Thanks for the comment.
- AUTHOR
Hello twentyfive,
Thanks for being the first to comment on this garden landscaping hub about the bridal wreath. If your mom loves gardening it is very likely that she might already be familiar with the spirea flowering plants. God bless you also!
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..
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