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when to cut back bridal bush spirea

4/25/2018

12 Comments

 
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​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
12 Comments
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
LAURA COLLINS
5/3/2022 08:11:45 am

Keep at the vine!! I have successfully eradicated poison oak and poison ivy, grapes and honeysuckle, and a very clingy vine with heart-shaped leaves(which returns after a good rain) but I keep that one under control. I inspect my trees along a fence line where this one likes to grow and attach to the tree.about every two weeks or almost a day or two after the rain. You CAN manage vines. just keep chopping away at them and don't prune your spirea unnecessarily. I am not a horticulturist, just an avid gardener and retired so I have ample time to keep at the pests! Good luck.

Reply
LAURA COLLINS
5/3/2022 08:12:44 am

How is your spirea doing, Louise?

Reply
Sue Bristow
5/25/2022 01:06:05 pm

My bridal wreath spirea bushes have not bloomed well since they were planted 5 years ago. We have had them trimmed in the fall. This spring there were a few flowers in splotches and now they are all gone. Does anyone know how to fix them? Thank you!

Reply
SJones
6/8/2022 02:32:57 pm

Definitely not an expert, but I have 3 bushes that have flourished pretty well. If you trim them in the fall, you’re likely trimming the wood that the flowers would grow on. Only trim in the spring.

Reply
Kirk
11/12/2022 05:34:13 pm

Since they bloom on old wood don’t “trim” them. Any canes that are leggy or awkward can be cut off at the ground. Remove dead wood. You’re done.

Reply
Georgia
2/5/2023 10:41:44 am

When do you do this? I live in zone 4-5. I need to cut back to the ground.

Rebecca Knutson
7/1/2022 03:58:51 pm

My question is about shaping. I have cut back the flowering stems to the new growth. It has just finished flowering. My bush has lots of new spring growth and several branches of woody older growth without many new growth branches. Should I cut those back some? A lot? How about some shaping of the new growth? It's not looking very tidy. Is that just the way it is? Will I wreck bed years flowering if I trim some of the new growth? Thank you very much.

Reply
Natalie
9/29/2022 06:55:43 pm

About 2 1/2 years ago we trimmed my spirea or bridal wreath bush. Since then, it hasn’t really bloomed. Now it is September and the plant itself is overgrown, but I hesitate to trim it. I have fed the soil. Do I trim the bush now? If so, should I trim it really low or just a little? Thanks in advance for any help!

Reply
Planner
10/30/2022 09:16:00 am

I would give it one more chance to flower in the spring. If it doesn't, then as soon as you see the indication of leaves, chop it down to about 6 inches and let it start over.
If it does, after the last flower has died, thin it by trimming all of the dead wood and then 1/3 of the remaining sticks.
It is really really hard to kill these. Mine have suckers coming up everywhere, trying to take over the 2 adjacent bushes.

Reply
Greg Werks link
4/17/2023 05:06:28 am

It's essential to realize the moment when you need to cut back. Many people don't figure out when the moment arrives, though.

Reply
SeanLI
5/1/2023 05:43:01 pm

I would love detailed instructions.

We have one of these, and its tallest branches are about 12 -15 feet tall. They aren't supposed to get this tall, I know, but my mother has had the landscapers (1) tie together the 100 or so shoots, suckers and outright TRUNKS with several large loops of robber-coated wire so it keeps standing straight; and (2) then has those rubber-wire loops/supports tied to a well-seated fence post.

She refuses to let anyone prune the shrub as indicated by this article (she refuses to even read any article on proper plant pruning, simply out of pride), only letting the landscaper come by and shape the accessible parts with electric hedge trimmers.

Every perennial she treats as though it were a hedge, and will not be told there is a better way.

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  • 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 >
      • 2022 Org Chart
      • Bylaws
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      • Continuing Education & Training
      • Member Status
      • Apply Online
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Events & Outreach
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    • Farmers Market
    • Fair Horticulture Room
    • Public Education Booths
    • Hatchery Outdoor Adventure
    • Scholarship
  • Garden Projects
    • Fairgrounds Garden
    • Bull Shoals
    • Clysta Willett
    • Cooper Park
    • Fish Hatchery
    • Extension Office
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    • Library Pollinator Garden
  • Gardening Tips
    • Bringing Nature into your Garden >
      • Creating a Landscape With Native Plants
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      • Well-Behaved Natives
      • Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
    • Invasive Plants >
      • Invasive Non-Natives
    • Seminar Horticulture Table
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  • Members Only
    • Enter Your Hours
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    • How-To >
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      • JanelleStookey
      • MikeKuenzli
      • JanHalligan
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      • Memorial Gardens
      • Kathleen -Fairgrounds Garden
      • Practice - Cooper Park
      • Judy - Extension Office