At last it seems that the weather has calmed down a bit and we can think about being creative in the garden.
After recent posts about shrubs you may not have heard of, this week we have a shrub that is known to many gardeners but still deserves a moment in the spotlight. Most people have heard of spiraeas but may be confused because there are many kinds. In fact there are more than 70 species in the wild, found from all around the northern hemisphere. But from our point of view, the garden kinds are split into two kinds; the spring-blooming kinds which are generally white-flowered and the summer-blooming kinds which are generally pink or pinkish red. All have small, five-petalled flowers but lots of them!
The reason why they deserve a closer look is that they are all hardy, tolerant of most soils and sun or part shade and they perform quickly and reliably. They are ideal for new gardeners. We all need some shrubs that are easy and reliable and these are just that.
Spiraeas are some of the first shrubs I came to know. When we lived in the old Vicarage in Lingfield there were few plants that had survived in the abandoned garden but one that amazed me every spring was a double-flowered spiraea that was covered in delicate, rose-like flowers (about 7mm across) every spring. I now know that it was Spiraea prunifolia, an unusual plant for many reasons. It was introduced from Japan in 1845, as the double-flowered form and the ‘wild’ form, with single flowers, was not introduced until 40 years later but it did not catch on because it was dull. As it is, Spiraea prunifolia is now a rather rare shrub but I managed to find it and add it to my present garden. It tries to bloom very early and there are a few flowers open now, but most open in April. Like many other spiraeas, it has wonderful, red autumn colour too. Ask at Nags Hall for them to get some! It is a wonderful and absurdly neglected shrub.
There are lots of other white-flowered spiraeas that deserve a place in the garden. These include ‘Arguta’ and ‘Vanhouttei’. All these are vigorous shrubs that are covered in blossom in spring. Like most spring-flowering shrubs they should be pruned after flowering. Cut out some of the oldest shoots near the base and shorten some of the other stems to tidy it up. Never prune after midsummer or you will remove the potential flowers the following spring. Although not ideal for hedges, they are all good for informal screens because of their elegant habit.
There are a few spring-flowering kinds with white flowers that are a bit different and the best is ‘Pink Ice’, a variegated variant of ‘Vanhouttei’. I used to have this in a previous garden and was always a bit embarrassed that it liked it so much – the new foliage is variegated in white and pink. Visitors thought it was very tacky! But that was foolish and I must add it to my garden as quickly as possible. I miss it. It is neat and colourful all summer and when I next see one I will add it to the garden. Plant it and enjoy it without guilt!
The other group of spiraeas bloom in summer. These are usually forms or hybrids of S. japonica and include ‘Anthony Waterer’ shown at the top of the page. These bloom at the tips of the new shoots so they are pruned in March. You do not have to prune every year but they do benefit from a trim every few years to keep them young and full of bloom.
One of the most interesting is ‘Shirobana’. This has flowers that are either pink or white, often in the same cluster. I have planted a small row of these and they are always interesting. The bumblebees like them too although I think they visit for pollen rather than nectar because they scamper over the flat heads of flowers, too fast to be probing the small blooms for nectar.
The most popular of all are the kinds with coloured foliage. The commonest of these is ‘Goldflame’. I have to admit that the contrast of pink flowers and orange leaves is a bit more than I can stomach so I usually prune hard in spring which delays flowering till later in summer and does encourage the brightest new leaves. It is easy and hardy and it deserves a place in every garden. I would include it any list of my top ten shrubs.
Look out for lots of new spiraeas, most of which have golden foliage and pink flowers and most are more compact than the ‘standard’ ‘Goldflame’. All are easy and colourful shrubs that are attractive to bees and have a long flowering season.
What to do this week
It is still a bit early to sow most seeds but that is no reason not to get ready. Buy your seeds, compost and seed trays and do not forget the labels!
If the ground is not too wet or cold you can plant shrubs and fruit trees.
You can also plant lilies in pots or in the ground and, if the patio is looking a bit dull, you can fill patio pots with hardy bedding like violas and pansies and add instant colour with pots of bulbs.