Japanese spirea

Japanese spirea should be watered deeply once per week, and require at least 1 inch of water each time. During periods of warm weather, an extra deep watering once every 2 weeks may be necessary to maintain the plant’s vitality. If the spirea is planted in an area that does not receive ample rainfall, watering will need to increase to twice a week. In addition, Japanese spirea benefits from having its soil mulched on a regular basis to help maintain soil moisture and also discourage weed growth.

Japanese spirea thrives in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day). It prefers morning sun, but can usually tolerate some afternoon sun, particularly in climates with mild summers. It can also tolerate partial shade, though this may reduce blooming. For best flowering and form, provide full sun for at least 8 hours daily, but avoid afternoon sun if possible.

Japanese spirea should be pruned heavily once a year in the late winter or early spring, directly after the plant has finished blooming. This pruning should involve removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, and trimming back the healthy branches to frame the plant's shape while allowing for future growth. For older, established specimens, you can also cut back some of the oldest and thickest branches by 1-third to keep the shrub compact and promote new growth.