What soil does Grey spirea grow in?

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

Is Grey spirea hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Grey spirea toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

How far from the house should Grey spirea be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Grey spirea be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 3 plants per metre.

How much water does Grey spirea need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Grey spirea

Spiraea × cinerea

Grey spirea (Spiraea × cinerea) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Non-toxic to children.

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

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

A dense, rounded bush with thin, arching shoots that are covered along their whole length with tiny snow-white flowers in April, before the leaves appear. It is undemanding and drought tolerant, so it works well as a loose or clipped low hedge, in shrub groups and on banks. It flowers on the previous year's shoots: prune straight after flowering, because a winter or early spring trim cuts the flowers off.

Watch out for

It is rarely troublesome. In waterlogged, airless soil it can die of root rot; in crowded, shady spots powdery mildew and leaf spot can appear, and aphids on new shoots. As a member of the rose family it can also get fire blight. If it is not thinned for years the centre of the bush ages and goes bare: after flowering, cut the oldest stems out at the base from time to time.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.5 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white

All details

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.5 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	1–1.8 m × 1–1.8 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, white
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	100 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	no data

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

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 26, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant shrubs Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants that are non-toxic to children Hedge plants Shrubs for pollinators Low-maintenance shrubs Flowering shrubs Plants with autumn colour Shrubs with autumn colour

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