Anthony waterer spirea - Ask Extension
When Should I cut my Spirea back? They still have spent summer flowers. They are about 2 1/2 feet tall and on the leggy side. Some sources say cut th...
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Anthony waterer spirea #880959
Asked August 10, 2024, 5:19 PM EDT
When Should I cut my Spirea back? They still have spent summer flowers. They are about 2 1/2 feet tall and on the leggy side. Some sources say cut them back 8” -10” from ground before winter. Other sources say to wait until Early spring to cut back to 8”. What do you recommend?
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
The University of Iowa says:
Japanese spireas (Spiraea japonica) are small shrubs that grow 2 to 3 feet tall. Plants produce clusters of small pink flowers in summer. Numerous cultivars are available. The best way to renew or rejuvenate straggly Japanese spireas is to prune them back to within 3 to 4 inches of the ground in late winter/early spring . The shrubs will grow back and quickly develop into attractive plants. For best performance, Japanese spireas should be rejuvenated every 2 to 3 years.
This advice applies to spireas grown in Minnesota.
Japanese spireas (Spiraea japonica) are small shrubs that grow 2 to 3 feet tall. Plants produce clusters of small pink flowers in summer. Numerous cultivars are available. The best way to renew or rejuvenate straggly Japanese spireas is to prune them back to within 3 to 4 inches of the ground in late winter/early spring . The shrubs will grow back and quickly develop into attractive plants. For best performance, Japanese spireas should be rejuvenated every 2 to 3 years.
This advice applies to spireas grown in Minnesota.
