Van Houtte Spirea, Bridalwreath Spirea
Spiraea x vanhouttei
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
▲ mature plant at southeast corner of Bookstore on MSU campus
▲ foliage
▲▼ mature shrubs flowering in spring
Location on campus: on south side and southeast corner of Baker Bookstore
Spiraea x vanhouttei: VanHoutte Spirea (sometimes called Bridalwreath Spirea)
· leaves alternate, deciduous, rhombic-ovate or obovate with irregular teeth or 3 lobes on upper portion leaf; leaves 1-1.5" long and 2/3 to equally wide; dark blue-green above and whitish below
· twigs slender, brown, glabrous
· flowers in axillary clusters of small white flowers in mid spring (usually after leafing out) along topsides of branches
· grows 3-5' tall and as wide or slightly wider with arching, fountain-like branching pattern
· prefers full sun to almost full shade; likes all but very wet soils; a tough plant; prune out old wood each year to keep rejuvenated with basal sprouts
· medium growth rate