What soil does False spirea grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy.

Is False spirea hardy?

Hardy down to -45 °C (USDA zone 2, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should False spirea be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does False spirea flower?

Flowering: June–August, white.

How much water does False spirea need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

False spirea

Sorbaria sorbifolia

False spirea (Sorbaria sorbifolia) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -45 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about PLN 21.

Illustration of False spirea — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An extremely hardy shrub with finely divided, rowan-like leaves and creamy white feathery flower plumes in summer; the compact cultivar most often sold leafs out pinkish bronze in spring. It fills its space quickly and suits banks, wilder corners and large containers. Be aware that it spreads strongly by root suckers: plant it only where it may spread or surround it with a root barrier, and remove the suckers regularly.

Watch out for

It has hardly any pests or diseases; the problem is its spread. It forms dense colonies by root suckers, quickly in loose, moist soil and more slowly in heavy clay, outgrows a small bed and smothers weaker neighbours. Plant it behind a root barrier, in a large container or where paving or mown lawn hems it in, and remove suckers as soon as they appear; the compact cultivars sucker less but do not stay put either. It also escapes from gardens: it is increasingly found growing wild in Central Europe, is naturalised in Czechia, has been reported as invasive in Poland, is on the national invasive species list in Finland, where selling and keeping it are banned, and has the highest risk rating in Norway. It is not on the EU list or the Hungarian lists. Do not plant it next to natural habitats, water banks or woodland edges, and do not dump dug-out root pieces outdoors as garden waste, because they resprout. The leaves scorch in prolonged drought and it sulks in waterlogged soil.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 1.5 m × 2 m
Hardiness: down to -45 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–August, white

All details

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.5 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	1–3 m × 1–3 m
Hardiness	down to -45 °C (USDA 2, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	June–August, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	120 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about PLN 21

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. PLN 21

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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