Horticulture/Spiraea thunbergii

Spirea thunbergiiThunberg's Meadowsweet Spiraea thunbergii1.jpg Spiraea thunbergii Rosaceae shrub full sun Spiraea thunbergii (Thunberg's meadowsweet, Baby's Breath Spiraea, or Thunberg's Spiraea) is a plant in the rose family, native to Japan and China, and a popular landscape shrub in southeastern U.S. Description Spiraea thunbergii is a small, long-lived shrub with thin, flexible stems. The flowers are white, borne in early spring (late March to early April) and late fall. It reaches a height of 1.5-1.8 meters (4-6 ft) and is about as wide. The alternate, simple, almost linear leaves are semideciduous. Growing Conditions Grows and flowers best in full sun. Varieties This species forms an interspecific hybrid with Spiraea japonica L. fil. Horticultural Research (Japan)(2006): Floral Characteristics of Interspecific Hybrids between Spiraea thunbergii Sieb. ex Blume. and S. japonica L. fil. In the horticultural trade one can obtain several varieties of Spiraea thunbergii, such as 'Mt Fuji' (white flowers), 'Ogon' (bright yellow flowers), 'Mellow yellow' and 'Fugino pink' Uses This plant produces phytotoxic cis-cinnamoyl glucosides and cis-cinnamic acid Phytochemistry. 2004 Mar., v. 65, no. 6 p. 731-739 The plant-growth inhibition characteristics can be used against diverse species as lettuce (Lactuca saliva), pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), red clover (Trifolium pratense), timothy (Phleum pratense), and bok choy (Brassica rapa var chinensis). The characteristics of these natural chemicals indicate a potential role of cis-cinnamic acid and its glucosides as allelochemicals (chemicals, released from plants, that cause an interaction between plants and other living organisms) for use as plant growth regulators and weed suppression in agricultural fields and in natural ecosystems. Journal of chemical ecology 2005, vol. 31, no3, pp. 591-601 Maintenance Prune in spring just after flowers. Can be grown as a cutback shrub, or trimmed as a hedge. Propagation Propagated by stem or root cuttings. Pests and Diseases References Spiraea thunbergii species y y y y y y y y 7.12.13