What soil does Bridal wreath spirea grow in?

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

Is Bridal wreath spirea hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Bridal wreath spirea be planted?

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

How far apart should Bridal wreath spirea be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1.2 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 1.5 plants per metre.

When does Bridal wreath spirea flower?

Flowering: April–June, white.

How much water does Bridal wreath spirea need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Bridal wreath spirea cost?

It sells for roughly €3.90 to €7 in local shops, depending on size.

Bridal wreath spirea

Spiraea × vanhouttei

Bridal wreath spirea (Spiraea × vanhouttei) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €3.90.

Illustration of Bridal wreath 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 old, proven flowering shrub: in May its arching branches are covered along their whole length with small white flower clusters, as if dusted with snow. It grows in almost any soil in sun or part shade and copes well with city air, so it is a reliable informal or lightly shaped flowering hedge. It flowers on last year's shoots, so always prune after flowering, and every few years cut the oldest stems out at the base or it goes bare below.

Watch out for

Serious trouble is rare. Aphids can settle on shoot tips in spring, powdery mildew and leaf spot may appear in humid weather, and as a member of the rose family it can be susceptible to fire blight. Without regular renewal pruning it goes bare at the base, and clipping too early or in winter removes the flowers.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 2 m × 2.5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, white

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2 m × 2.5 m
Ultimate size	1.5–2.5 m × 1.5–3.6 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–June, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
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	no data
Typical price	from about €3.90

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
30+ cm	approx. €7
size not stated	approx. €3.90

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Hedge plants Shrubs for pollinators Low-maintenance shrubs Flowering shrubs

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Looks good next to it

Common yew

Taxus baccata

Persian ivy

Hedera colchica

Irish moss

Sagina subulata