| PSC 2620: Woody Trees and Shrub | Course Home | Week 2 |
Spiraea bumalda - Bumald Spirea
Plant Viewer
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| Small flowers occur on corymbs on bunches up to 4 inches wide and are typically held 3-6 inches above the foliage. | New foliage emerges a deep red and matures to green. |
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| Elliptic-lanceolate shaped leaves are serrated and are 1-3 inches long. |
Plant Description
Spiraea x bumalda is a small (3-4 feet high, 4-5 feet wide) mounded shrub with a dense branching habit. Its compact form and relatively low-maintenance need have made it very popular in commercial landscapes. It is a hardy plant once it is established, but it is common to see die back, though it will typically quickly recover with a little pruning.
The 1-3 inch long leaves are arranged alternately and elliptic-lanceolate in shape with serrated edges. New leaves emerge in shades of red and gradually change to a dark green. In fall the leaves turn a rusty orange color.
During the late spring and early summer plentiful flowers emerge in corymbs up to 4 inches across. Typically the blossoms are either pink or white. The stem and buds on the corymbs are typically a dark red and are showy in their own right. Once the blossoms are spent, the brown corymbs covering the plant are quite unsightly and should be pruned.
Landscape Use
Spiraea x bumalda is very popular with landscapers for use in mass plantings, as foundation plantings, or island plantings in parking lots. It can also be used in shrub or perennial borders.
Points of interest
Spiraea x bumalda is overused in landscapes, especially commercial, and has become all too common.
Notable Cultivars
Anthony Waterer: Probably the most used Spirea, of any species. New leaves emerge red before turning to green, then turn to a deep maroon color in the fall. Blossoms are bright pink. Reaches 4 feet tall and wide.
Crispa: A smaller form, it grows only 2-3 feet tall and wide. The leaves have deeply cut serrations with overtones of red. Flowers are bright pink.
Goldflame: The foliage has beautiful variegation on young foliage of yellow, orange and lime green turning to green in the summer. Pink bloomer.
