Japanese Spirea Plant Spiraea japonica, commonly called Japanese spirea, is a dense, upright, mounded, deciduous shrub that typically grows 4-6’ tall with a slightly larger spread. Leaves (to 3” long) are oval and sharply-toothed. Tiny pink flowers in flat-topped clusters (corymbs) cover the foliage from late spring to mid-summer, with sparse and intermittent repeat bloom sometimes occurring. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Mounds of light green young foliage over the darker green older leaves gives a beautiful look to any spot. Genus name comes from the Greek word speira meaning wreath in reference to the showy flower clusters seen on most shrubs in the genus. Specific epithet means of Japan, which is part of its native range. Type: Deciduous shrub Family: Rosaceae Zone: 3 to 8 Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet Spread: 3.00 to 4.00 feet Bloom Time: May to July Bloom Description: Pink Sun: Full sun Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Hedge Flower: Showy Leaf: Colorful, Good Fall Tolerate: Deer, Erosion, Clay Soil, Air Pollution Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Prefers rich, moist loams. Remove faded flower clusters as practicable (light shearing is an option) to encourage additional bloom. Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed. Plants can be aggressive self-seeders, and have escaped gardens and naturalized in many areas of the eastern U.S. Plants will also spread in the garden by suckering.