EN
Open Studio
GridGarden Studio

Shrub · Rosaceae family

Japanese spirea

Spiraea japonica

Full sun to part shade 1–1.8 m × 1–1.8 m Flowers June–July to −32 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
Size1–1.8 m
spacing 80 cm
FlowersJune–July
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
averageloamysandyclay

Watering

drought tolerant once establishedless when it rains

Frost

−32 °C
no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

50 cm1 m1.5 m1–1.8 mspread 1–1.8 m
1–1.8 m× spread 1–1.8 m

Plant 80 cm apart.

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

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June–July · pink or red

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 40 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and shoots.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • open pruning, do not plant too densely
    • rake up and remove fallen leaves
  2. By hand when presentremove affected parts
  3. Gentle spray at the first symptomspotassium bicarbonate or horticultural oil (only for heavy infestation)
  4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps as per the labelOnly if the damage is severe: a product authorised in your country against: powdery mildew.
Powdery mildewsdisease

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and shoots.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • open pruning, do not plant too densely
    • rake up and remove fallen leaves
  2. By hand when presentremove affected parts
  3. Gentle spray at the first symptomspotassium bicarbonate or horticultural oil (only for heavy infestation)
  4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps as per the labelOnly if the damage is severe: a product authorised in your country against: powdery mildew.
More about this problem

What you will see

Root rot and dieback of the shrub; white fungal sheets under the bark at the base.

When to look

Mushrooms in late summer and autumn; mycelium in the soil all year

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • do not plant in places with honey fungus
    • remove infected shrubs together with the roots
  2. By hand when presentdig out the infected shrub with its roots
Honey fungusdisease · mushrooms in late summer and autumn; mycelium in the soil all year

What you will see

Root rot and dieback of the shrub; white fungal sheets under the bark at the base.

When to look

Mushrooms in late summer and autumn; mycelium in the soil all year

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • do not plant in places with honey fungus
    • remove infected shrubs together with the roots
  2. By hand when presentdig out the infected shrub with its roots
More about this problem
Sources (2)

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.

Powdery mildews — what can you do?

open pruning, do not plant too densely remove affected parts

Honey fungus — what can you do?

do not plant in places with honey fungus dig out the infected shrub with its roots

Sources (21) Checked 24 October 2026

Similar plants

Have a look at these too.

Plan this plant in your garden in Studio