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