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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Early winter, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring, Mid winter. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.

Physical Characteristics

Spiraea prunifolia is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - cooked[105, 177].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Emetic Malaria

The plant is emetic[218]. It is used in the treatment of malaria and fever[218].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Tolerates most soils[200], but prefers a good loamy soil, abundant moisture and full sunlight[11, 200]. Hardy to about -20°c[184]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[11]. Flowers are produced on the previous seasons growth and any pruning is best done immediately after flowering in order to promote new growth and plenty of flowers in the following year[182]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Blooms are very showy.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if possible. It is likely to require stratification before it germinates, so stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as you receive it. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a light sandy soil a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15cm long, October/November in an outdoor frame[200]. Another report says that September is a good time to do this[11]. Division of suckers in early spring[200]. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guizhou Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Zhejiang Sheng), Korea, Taiwan

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Holodiscus dumosus	Rock Spiraea	Shrub	4.5	4-8		LMH	SN	DM	1	1
Sorbaria sorbifolia	false spiraea	Shrub	1.8	2-7	F	LMH	SN	M	1	0
Spiraea alba	White Meadowsweet	Shrub	1.5	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	1
Spiraea betulifolia aemiliana		Shrub	0.3	4-8		LMH	N	M	1	0
Spiraea blumei		Shrub	1.5	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Spiraea canescens		Shrub	3.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	0	0	2
Spiraea douglasii	Steeplebush, Rose spirea, Menzies' spirea	Shrub	2.5	4-8		LMH	SN	M	0	1	1
Spiraea henryi		Shrub	3.0	5-9		LMH	N	M	1	0
Spiraea hirsuta		Shrub	1.5	-		LMH	N	M	1	0
Spiraea japonica	Japanese Spiraea, Japanese meadowsweet	Shrub	1.5	4-8		LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Spiraea nervosa angustifolia		Shrub	1.5	5-9		LMH	N	M	1	0
Spiraea pyramidata	Spirea	Shrub	1.0	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	1
Spiraea salicifolia	Bridewort, Willowleaf meadowsweet	Shrub	1.8	4-8		LMH	SN	M	1	1	1
Spiraea thunbergii	Thunberg's meadowsweet, Thunberg Spirea	Shrub	1.5	4-8	M	LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Spiraea tomentosa	Hardhack, Steeplebush	Shrub	1.5	3-7		LMH	SN	M	0	2
Spiraea x arguta	Garland Spiraea	Shrub	2.5	4-8		LMH	SN	M	0	0	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Spiraea prunifolia - Siebold.&Zucc.