Spirea Pruning

What This Service Involves

Spirea comes in two pruning camps, and treating them the same is a common mistake in Northwest gardens. Spring-blooming types such as bridal wreath flower on old wood, so we prune them right after they bloom, removing older canes to renew the arching form. Summer-blooming Japanese spireas flower on new wood and get cut back hard in late winter to encourage fresh, floriferous growth. Our first move is always identifying which type you have, then we tailor the cuts, deadhead to encourage rebloom on summer types, and thin congested growth for a healthy, well-shaped shrub.

Benefits

Maximizes blooms by matching pruning to each spirea's bloom wood; Renews arching spring types by removing old canes; Encourages vigorous, floriferous growth on summer types; Extends flowering through deadheading on summer bloomers; Maintains a dense, tidy shape and healthy structure

Our Process

1) Identify whether the spirea blooms in spring or summer; 2) For spring bloomers, prune right after flowering and renew old canes; 3) For summer bloomers, cut back hard in late winter; 4) Deadhead summer types to encourage a second flush; 5) Thin congested stems and clean up clippings

What Affects the Cost

Spirea type and its specific pruning schedule; Plant size and number of shrubs; Degree of overgrowth and renewal needed; Ongoing deadheading versus one-time cutback; Debris removal

Best Time of Year

In the PNW, prune spring-blooming spirea right after flowering and cut summer-blooming Japanese spirea back hard in late winter (February) before new growth.