shrub

Crispleaf Spirea

Spiraea bullata 'Crispifolia'

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Crispleaf Spirea (Spiraea bullata 'Crispifolia') at Paterno Nurseries

Crispleaf Spirea in bloom

Crispleaf Spirea in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  18 inches

Spread:  18 inches

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Description:

A refined small shrub with a compact yet upright habit of growth, very crinkly, toothy tiny leaves and deep pink flowers in late spring; it all adds up to a versatile garden dwarf, an excellent specimen for the rock garden

Ornamental Features

Crispleaf Spirea features showy corymbs of rose flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to early summer. It has attractive bluish-green deciduous foliage. The tiny twisted oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding coppery-bronze in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Crispleaf Spirea is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a mounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Crispleaf Spirea is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Crispleaf Spirea will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight Soil pH Preference
Characteristics
Massing  Rock  Garden 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Fall Color  Texture  Plant Form  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features