If you're looking for a stunning wedding plant, a bridal wreath bush will do just that. This versatile plant has snow-white blooms, a cascading habit, and drought-tolerant roots. The 'Plena' cultivar is especially gorgeous. Other cultivars include 'Triumphans', 'Bridal Wreath', and 'White spirea'.
'Plena' cultivar
'Plena' is a popular cultivar of Spiraea prunifolia, which is commonly known as the bridal wreath bush. Its double white flowers appear in profusion along bare branches in spring. The flowers are long, and the plant is great for creating a wreath or headpiece. After blooming, the foliage emerges, consisting of tiny, shiny green leaves. The leaves can develop attractive fall color.
The 'Plena' cultivar is the most commercially available variety of bridal wreath bush, and it is recommended for gardens in USDA zones five through eight. It can be propagated from cuttings in early spring. Plant in a container with a drainage hole. Place the plant in a pot of quality potting mix or soil. Planting time depends on your climate and soil conditions.
'Plena' is a highly drought-resistant shrub that can grow up to nine feet high and eight feet wide. It prefers full sunlight but can tolerate light shade. It is also hardy and tolerates clay soil and deer. 'Plena' is a great choice for landscape plantings, especially if you want a bush with small, white flowers.
'Triumphans' cultivar
The 'Triumphans' cultivar of spirea is a popular choice for a bridal wreath bush garden. It grows five to six feet tall with arching branches and dark pink blooms. This multi-stemmed deciduous shrub has a low maintenance and low water requirements. It does not produce flowers in the fall. It can live for up to 20 years when grown in an ideal environment.
'Triumphans' is a dwarf variety of spiraea billardii, a popular shrub that blooms in the summer. Its cone-shaped blooms are topped with white berries. 'Triumphans' grows up to 1.5 meters tall and is suitable for dry rock gardens. It also complements hydrangea and lavender plants.
The 'Triumphans' cultivar of spiraea grows in well-drained, acid soil. When buying this plant, make sure that the soil is between 6.5 and eight inches acid. This cultivar should be planted in a pot that is eight inches wider than the root ball. Make sure to use a drainage pot. Once the plant has established itself, add mulch or other organic material to maintain its ideal pH levels.
The spirea 'Triumphans' cultivar is an excellent choice for a bridal wreath bush garden. It grows well in USDA zones four to nine. It prefers full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade. Its spiny stems also help to protect it from rabbits. If you have young plants, you can install a wire mesh screen around them. Although it is not prone to serious pests or diseases, it does suffer from leaf spot and fire blight. If you grow the plant in a sunny area, you should fertilize the plant yearly with a slow release fertilizer. You can also add a compost or organic matter to the top of the planting hole to retain moisture and prevent fungal disease.
'Bridal Wreath' cultivar
Bridal Wreath Spirea is a flowering shrub that is native to China, Korea, and Japan. Its rich, deep green foliage, and pure, crisp white blossoms make it an excellent choice for the landscape. The plant's blooms begin in May and last through the summer. It is relatively easy to grow, resistant to deer, and will tolerate most soils. Its flowers grow in clusters of three to six flowers. The flowers are not fragrant, but instead produce a drying dehiscent follicle that is ideal for a bridal wreath.
A variety called 'Plena' is the most popular bridal wreath bush cultivar. This variety is widely available in retail nurseries. Spiraea prunifolia var. 'Plena' is the single-flowered plant, although the double-flowered variety was first described. Both varieties are equally durable, but they have distinct disadvantages. The plant is susceptible to several rose-family diseases, including leaf spot, fire blight, and powder mildew.
The double Bridal Wreath Spirea Plena is a low-maintenance shrub with stunning flowers. The plant blooms in spring before the stems begin to leaf out. The flowers are tiny, pearl-like, and white-tinged. They can be fashioned into wreaths or worn as headpieces. Once the blooms have faded, the foliage grows on. Small, shiny green leaves appear after the flowers. The foliage often develops a lovely fall color.
'White spirea' cultivar
If you are looking to add a beautiful flowering plant to your garden, consider a 'White spirea' cultivar of the spirea family. This shrub is native to Southeast Asia, and its blooms are a pure white, three to six-inch variety. It is drought-tolerant, and it will tolerate soils ranging from clay to sandy. Depending on the cultivar, it can grow as high as four to five feet tall. You can purchase this cultivar as a bare-root plant or as a potted plant.
'White spirea' is a traditional selection with white blooms, which are often double in number. This variety grows up to four feet tall and six feet wide, and has a low-maintenance, hardy habit. It's a classic that is ideal for a wedding garden, as the double flowers will add a romantic touch to your special day.
'White spirea' is a relatively easy ornamental plant to grow, and requires very little care. Spirea shrubs are light feeders, so they can survive periods of drought without much water. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged, as this can cause root rot. Overwatering your spirea can also damage its roots. In addition to the flowers, it is useful for cooking, as its leaves are delicious in soups. The stems and leaves are also used in herbal teas, and it attracts bees and butterflies.
Disease problems
A white, single-flowered shrub that is also known as a bridal wreath, Reeves spirea is not an ordinary plant. It is actually a hybrid that crosses S. trilobata and S. cantoniensis. The plant grows to be about five or six feet tall and has small green leaves that turn red in the fall in the upper and deep southern parts of the U.S. It grows in USDA zones 5-8.
A well-drained moist soil is best for the Bridal Wreath Spirea, although it will tolerate drought conditions. In order to grow properly, the Bridal Wreath Spirea should be watered once a week during the summer. The first full growing season is the best time to water the plant. Since this plant is hardy, it can thrive in any climate, but it should be planted in a shallow hole to avoid smothering. Bridal wreath spirea is also low maintenance and can be grown in pots or as an informal hedge.
The Bridal Wreath Spirea can be pruned to shape it appropriately. If you prune the plant after it flowers, cut it back to a few buds before the shrub starts leafing out. The foliage will grow back in a healthier and more compact state. Make sure to prune your bridal wreath spirea in early spring before it gets too big. Then, plant the cuttings in a sandy potting mix.
Growing conditions
When planting your wedding wreath spirea, consider its growing conditions. While the shrub needs full sun and a well-drained soil, it doesn't need winter protection. While the spiny stems of this shrub make it less desirable to deer, rabbits may nibble on the young growth. If you have the space, consider installing a wire mesh screen to keep critters out. Bridal wreath spireas don't tend to be susceptible to serious pest problems, but they can suffer from leaf spot, fire blight, and powder mildew.
In addition to the growing conditions above, the soil itself should be acidic. This means that the soil should contain a pH level between 4.0 and 7.0. Most average garden soils have a pH of 6.0-7.0. Soil pH is a measurement of the soil's acidity or alkalinity. Soil pH is measured on a scale from one to fourteen, with a measurement higher than seven being more acidic.
Planting a bridal wreath spirea is an easy plant to grow. The shrub is very drought-resistant and will tolerate a wide range of soils and pH levels. In general, it needs a well-drained soil, full sun, and at least 10 feet of space. Bridal wreath spireas don't require much care, although they can tolerate drought conditions. They need a little pruning, but they're very low maintenance.
