Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

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Photo:

Pat Kolling

Birch-leaf Spiraea

Latin Name:

Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor'

Taxon ID#

90 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Medium

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4 Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

Best in moist, well-drained, fertile

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Rosaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Small Shrub (usually < 1.5' and not >3')

Japan & East Asia

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Birch-like, alternate, simple, oval (to 1.5" long) have toothed margins

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

White

Flower Description:

Very small, dense flat-topped clusters

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Color gold, bronze, and red foliage

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

2-3'

Mature spread:

2-3'

Growth rate:

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

yes

Swales:

yes

Wildlife Use:

Border:

no

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

yes

Provides Shade:

yes

Rock Garden:

no

Adds Texture/Movement:

no

First Bloom:

May

Last Bloom:

Jun

Ornamental Accent:

no

Garden Observations:

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Flowers mostly in sprays along one-year-old or two-year-old branches. Cut off spent flowering branches immediately after flowering. This will help to produce the maximum amount of vigorous flowering wood.

Summer Care:

Prune diseased, dead, damaged; deadhead

Fall Care:

Winter Care:

Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed

Long Term Care:

Insect Pests:

Aphid, Snapdragon Plume Moth, Spider Mite

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Spiraea powdery mildew

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

Care Comments:

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/spiraea-betulifolia-tor

USDA Plants:

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SPBE2

Calscape Database:

LBJ Native Plant Database:

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SPBE2

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=250190&isprofile=0&gen=Spiraea

Monrovia Profile:

Alternate Source 1:

Alternate Source 2:

Source Comment:

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Birch-leaf Spiraea

​

​

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

90

MAINTENANCE

Medium

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

Best in moist, well-drained, fertile

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Small Shrub (usually < 1.5' and not >3')

Japan & East Asia

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Birch-like, alternate, simple, oval (to 1.5" long) have toothed margins

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

White

Flower Description:

Very small, dense flat-topped clusters

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Color gold, bronze, and red foliage

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

2-3'

Mature spread:

2-3'

Growth rate:

​

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

​

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

​

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

yes