Spiraea × vanhouttei
Common name: 
Van Houtte Spirea
Bridal Wreath Spirea
Pronunciation: 
spi-RE-a X van-HOOT-e-i
Family: 
Rosaceae
Genus: 
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous shrub, 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m), arching, fountain-like.  Leaves alternate, simple, 2-4.5 cm long, apex pointed, base tapering, teeth irregular and coarse, obscurely to 3 to 5-lobed, dull bluish green in summer; little or no fall color, especially in shade, occasionally in full sun an overcast of purple or red-brown.  Flowers white, 8 mm across, on 2.5-5 cm clusters (umbles), showy.
  • Sun, most popular of the spireas [Dirr (1990, p. 808) "the arching, fountain-like habit coupled with the profusion of white flowers has contributed to its popularity with the masses"].  A good Spiraea for the Pacific Northwest.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 3      Hybrid of S. trilobata × S. cantoniensis, developed in 1862 in France.
  • 'Pink Ice' is a variegated form in which the leaves are mottled green and pink when young,then green when mature
  • Bridalwreath Spirea: both S. × vanhouttei and S. prunifolia 'Plena' are known by this common name.
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: west side of the Memorial Union.
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  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • flowering branches

    flowering branches

  • flowers clusters

    flowers clusters

  • flowers and leaves

    flowers and leaves

  • leaves

    leaves

  • leafy shoots

    leafy shoots

  • leaves, comparison

    leaves, comparison

  • plant habit and leaves, fall

    plant habit and leaves, fall