Species false spiraea
white flowers and buds with green leaves and brown stems

false spiraea

Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem'

False spiraea is an very attractive deciduous shrub, known for its lush foliage and abundant clusters of white flowers. Growing anywhere from 2 to 6 feet tall, its fine, feathery leaves and fernlike branches create an incredible cascade of texture and color. The 'Sem' cultivar has compact, very dense growth of up to 6 feet wide, and is typically less than 4 feet in height. Its delicate flowers turn into appealing red-orange fruits in the fall. False spiraea can be an attractive addition to any landscape, and is easy to care for with minimal attention.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 8

Flowers:

White Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic, Well-drained

Fruits:

red,brown Fruits In Summer Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,white

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

False spiraea should be watered when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. Water thoroughly, allowing the excess to drain off. Avoid frequent shallow watering as this encourages the development of shallow root systems. During hot weather, water may be needed daily. During cooler weather, water once a week or so, allowing the soil to dry out partially between waterings.

sunlight

False spiraea (Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem') is a deciduous shrub that prefers a full sun location with at least 6 hours of daily sunlight. They can tolerate partial shade, but the best blooming is achieved when they are grown in a location that gets full sun during the peak hours of the day (usually between 8am-5pm). False spiraea can also handle some direct sunlight in the late afternoon, but avoid positioning them in areas where they are getting direct sun for the entire day. Too much direct sunlight can burn the foliage, causing it to lose its color and turn yellow.

pruning

For false spiraea (Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem'), pruning is recommended in the early spring before new growth begins. Pruning should be done lightly, removing only a few of the oldest branches closest to the ground. Pruning will help to maintain the structure of the plant, encourage flowering, and prevent it from becoming overgrown or leggy. Depending on how dense the shrub is, at least 25-30% of the plant's oldest growth should be removed each year. It is also important to remove dead or diseased branches from the plant to keep it healthy.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

False spiraea typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

False spiraea typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem' (false spiraea) typically begins in July and continues through August.

Hardiness Map