-Baxter County Master Gardeners-
  • About Master Gardeners
    • National Mission Statement
    • UAEX - Univ of AR Extension Service >
      • Baxter County Extension Office
      • The UA Cooperative Extension Service
      • UAEX Master Gardener Program
    • Baxter County Gov't >
      • County Extension Council
      • County Extension Service
    • Our Structure, Rules & Guidelines >
      • 2020 Org Chart
      • Bylaws
      • Standing Rules
      • Duties, Projects & Events
      • New Member Orientation
      • Continuing Education & Training
      • Member Status
      • Apply Online
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Garden Projects
    • Fairgrounds Garden
    • Bull Shoals
    • Clysta Willett
    • Cooper Park
    • Fish Hatchery
    • Extension Office
    • Memorial Gardens
    • Library Pollinator Garden
  • Events & Outreach
    • Calendar of Events
    • Join Us At Our Meeting
    • Radio Program
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Spring Seminar
    • Annual Plant Sale
    • Farmers Market
    • Fair Horticulture Room
    • Public Education Booths
    • Hatchery Outdoor Adventure
    • Scholarship
  • Gardening Tips
    • Bringing Nature into your Garden >
      • Native Plant Finder (research by Doug Tallamy, PhD)
      • Creating a Landscape With Native Plants
      • Native Drought-Tolerant Plants
      • Well-Behaved Natives
      • Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
    • Invasive Plants >
      • Invasive Plants to Avoid
      • Invasive Non-Natives
    • Seminar Horticulture Table
    • DIY Projects
    • Links
  • Members Only
    • Enter Your Hours
    • Buddy Message Blog
    • MG Roster
    • MG Meeting Minutes
    • Treasurer Reports - 2019 >
      • Treasurer Reports - 2018
      • Treasurer Reports - 2017
      • Treasurer Reports - 2016
      • Treasurer Reports 2015
      • Treasurer Reports 2014
    • Forms
    • How-To >
      • Webmaster Duties
      • Website Editing Guide
      • Website Updating Duties
    • Practice Pages >
      • JoanBurr
      • RoseMatta
      • Rose's Roster
      • Annual Plant Sale
      • JanelleStookey
      • MikeKuenzli
      • JanHalligan
      • PennyWells
      • FrankSinning
      • Clysta Willett
      • SusanChamberlain
      • Memorial Gardens
      • Janice Rose
      • Kathleen -Fairgrounds Garden
      • Practice - Cooper Park
      • Judy - Extension Office
      • James W
Ozark Green Thumb
BCMG Monthly e-Newsletter
                                                     Sign up to receive
                                                                     our free monthly e-newsletter, 
                                                                      Ozark Green Thumb.  

when to cut back bridal bush spirea

4/25/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
​Even before its foliage appears, bridal veil spirea, much more commonly known as bridal wreath spirea (Spiraea prunifolia) graces the early spring landscape with a profusion of white blossoms. This species can grow to 9 feet tall, with arching branches that may bend to the ground, contrasting with another group of spireas that are low-growing and shrubby and bear pink or red flowers in the summer. Bridal wreath flourishes in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. Maintain the plant's flowing shape by cutting it back immediately after blooming stops.

The spring-blooming bridal wreath spirea produces buds on old wood. Therefore, avoid pruning at the end of winter, or you might destroy potential flowering branches. You can, however, remove winter-killed twigs. "Plena," the most commercially-available bridal wreath variety, requires some winter chill to flower generously, and as with the species grows best in USDA zones 5 through 8. Propagate cuttings from your spirea in early spring by snipping 4 to 8 inches off a fast-growing stem tip and rooting it in a sandy potting mix.
Never try to prune a bridal wreath spirea into a compact bush, or you will sacrifice its unique charm. Trimming back so that it does not get too unwieldy, however, makes the plant more attractive. After flowering, prune any awkward shoots that distract from the overall configuration. With time, bridal wreath tends to become sparse and leggy. To rejuvenate a spirea, you can cut it almost to the ground, and it will grow back in a healthier state. Remember to clean your pruning shears with household disinfectant at full strength to avoid spreading bacteria, viruses or fungi.
​The double, white flowers of the "Plena" bridal wreath spirea each measure about 1/3 inch across and emerge in clusters of three to six blossoms. Spireas belong to the rose family, and their blooms resemble tiny roses. A favorite of butterflies, the snowy flowers lining the bare branches can be breathtaking, especially when the sun shines on them. The dark-green foliage that comes in following flowering will later furnish autumn color in reds, oranges or yellows.
Besides the yearly pruning, bridal wreath spirea does not require extensive maintenance to thrive. The plant does well in almost any soil, but it prefers the soil be a bit moist. For optimal blooming, grow spirea in full sun, although it tolerates partial shade. Usually the plant escapes serious damage from disease or insect pests, but watch for some of the same problems that afflict roses, such as fire blight, leaf spot, powdery mildew, aphids, root rot, leaf roller and scale. Use bridal wreath spirea as a foundation planting, in an informal mixed hedge or as a specimen shrub.

​
Source: Clemson Cooperative Extension
1 Comment
Louise A. Muise
9/20/2020 03:13:11 pm

My bridal wreath, growing in my front yard for years, has been taken over after blooming earlier, by a vine with heart shaped green leaves and small white flowers.
I have just pruned out s much of this invasion as I can. Is there anything else I can do to help it rejuvenate?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016

Picture
​Have a garden question or comment?...
Email us

​Check out our Facebook page

​Website trouble?... 
Email the webmaster
  • About Master Gardeners
    • National Mission Statement
    • UAEX - Univ of AR Extension Service >
      • Baxter County Extension Office
      • The UA Cooperative Extension Service
      • UAEX Master Gardener Program
    • Baxter County Gov't >
      • County Extension Council
      • County Extension Service
    • Our Structure, Rules & Guidelines >
      • 2020 Org Chart
      • Bylaws
      • Standing Rules
      • Duties, Projects & Events
      • New Member Orientation
      • Continuing Education & Training
      • Member Status
      • Apply Online
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Garden Projects
    • Fairgrounds Garden
    • Bull Shoals
    • Clysta Willett
    • Cooper Park
    • Fish Hatchery
    • Extension Office
    • Memorial Gardens
    • Library Pollinator Garden
  • Events & Outreach
    • Calendar of Events
    • Join Us At Our Meeting
    • Radio Program
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Spring Seminar
    • Annual Plant Sale
    • Farmers Market
    • Fair Horticulture Room
    • Public Education Booths
    • Hatchery Outdoor Adventure
    • Scholarship
  • Gardening Tips
    • Bringing Nature into your Garden >
      • Native Plant Finder (research by Doug Tallamy, PhD)
      • Creating a Landscape With Native Plants
      • Native Drought-Tolerant Plants
      • Well-Behaved Natives
      • Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
    • Invasive Plants >
      • Invasive Plants to Avoid
      • Invasive Non-Natives
    • Seminar Horticulture Table
    • DIY Projects
    • Links
  • Members Only
    • Enter Your Hours
    • Buddy Message Blog
    • MG Roster
    • MG Meeting Minutes
    • Treasurer Reports - 2019 >
      • Treasurer Reports - 2018
      • Treasurer Reports - 2017
      • Treasurer Reports - 2016
      • Treasurer Reports 2015
      • Treasurer Reports 2014
    • Forms
    • How-To >
      • Webmaster Duties
      • Website Editing Guide
      • Website Updating Duties
    • Practice Pages >
      • JoanBurr
      • RoseMatta
      • Rose's Roster
      • Annual Plant Sale
      • JanelleStookey
      • MikeKuenzli
      • JanHalligan
      • PennyWells
      • FrankSinning
      • Clysta Willett
      • SusanChamberlain
      • Memorial Gardens
      • Janice Rose
      • Kathleen -Fairgrounds Garden
      • Practice - Cooper Park
      • Judy - Extension Office
      • James W