Shrub · Rosaceae family
Japanese spirea
Spiraea japonica
In short a 10-second read
Japanese spirea (shrub) grows to 1–1.8 m tall and 1–1.8 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil. It flowers in June–July; the flowers are pink or red. Hardy to −32 °C.
× spread 1–1.8 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil. Hardy to −32 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average · watering: little
Soil: loamy, sandy, clay
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
June–July · pink or red
Pruning
deadhead spent flowers (as needed); cut back by a third (February–March)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −32 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −32 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Japanese spirea flower?
In June–July; the flowers are pink or red.
Does Japanese spirea tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Japanese spirea need?
At maturity 1–1.8 m wide and 1–1.8 m tall; recommended spacing 80 cm.
Does Japanese spirea survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −32 °C.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 20 expert sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (20)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- RHS Plant Finder
- Plants For A Future
- EPPO Global Database
- Pladias — Databáze české flóry a vegetace
- FloraWeb (BfN, DE)
- Neobiota Austria — Neophyten der Unionsliste
- SIŽP — Zoznam inváznych nepôvodných druhov
- RHS - Shrubs: pruning summer- or autumn-flowering
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow shrubs
- plantlust.com
- bumbees.com
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- plantstoyourdoor.co.uk
- homenursery.com
- boethingtreeland.com
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- plantstoyourdoor.co.uk
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