Bridal wreath spirea is a medium-sized, quickly-growing deciduous shrub that grows upright and archingly. It has waterfalls of white double flowers. After the flowers, the plant has oval, green leaves that are 1 to 3 inches long. In the fall, the leaves turn a beautiful yellow-orange or purple-brown color. Bridal wreath spirea grows best in full sun and loamy or acidic soils that drain well. It can handle both cold and hot weather and grows naturally in zones 5 through 8.
Pruning a bridal wreath spirea is an important task that will keep your shrub looking its best. With its fluffy white spring blooms that cascade like a waterfall, the bridal wreath spirea provides stunning ornamental appeal. However, without proper pruning, these shrubs can become overgrown and flower less. By learning when and how to prune spirea properly, you can maintain its natural shape, encourage more blooms, and highlight its graceful form in your landscape.
When to Prune Bridal Wreath Spirea
Pruning a bridal wreath spirea at the right time is key for optimal blooming and shaping. Here are the best times to prune spirea:
- Early spring before new growth emerges
- After flowering in late spring/early summer
- Mid-summer to trim errant branches
Many gardeners prune in early spring before the shrub leafs out. This allows you to assess the overall shape and make shaping cuts easily without interfering with buds that will produce flowers. It’s also the least stressful for the plant when temperatures are still cool.
Pruning after flowering prevents removing potential blooms This is a good time to thin congested areas and remove spent flower clusters Mid-summer pruning maintains shape and redirects errant branches, Avoid heavy pruning in fall when the shrub is preparing for dormancy,
How to Prune a Bridal Wreath Spirea
Follow these tips when pruning your bridal wreath spirea
Prune for Shape
- Assess the plant’s shape before pruning and identify problem areas that need correction
- Stand back and look at the shrub from all angles to visualize desired shape
- Make small, selective cuts to refine form rather than shearing heavily
- Remove branches that cross through center or create dense areas
Thin Congested Areas
- Identify areas that look crowded with a heavy tangle of branches
- Remove selected branches at base to open up interior to light and air
- Take out old branches to rejuvenate growth
- Cut competing branches that rub together or grow toward the center
Remove Spent Blooms
- Cut back flower clusters after blooming finishes
- Trimming off faded flowers encourages potential re-bloom
- Makes plant look tidy by removing dead flowers
Maintain Natural Shape
- Avoid heavy shearing that gives a rounded ball shape
- Instead, trim judiciously to accentuate natural arching habit
- Let top cascade while removing errant branches at sides
- Highlight graceful weeping form
Make Proper Pruning Cuts
- Use clean, sharp bypass pruners for cleanest cuts
- Cut at angle just above outward facing bud or branch collar
- Avoid leaving stubs by cutting close to trunk or branch without damaging bark
- Sterilize tools before and after with isopropyl alcohol
Cleanup Debris
- Dispose of all clippings promptly to prevent disease
- Debris can be composted or disposed of in yard waste container
- Rake area around shrub to remove fallen leaves and stems
What to Avoid When Pruning Bridal Wreath Spirea
Some common pruning mistakes can negatively impact blooming and appearance:
- Avoid pruning in summer or fall when preparing for dormancy
- Don’t shear into a rounded ball or box shape
- Prevent cutting main branches that will reduce size drastically
- Don’t allow suckers from root stock to remain
- Never prune past the branch collar at trunk or main branch
- Don’t leave stubbed branches which die back unattractively
Tools Needed for Pruning Bridal Wreath Spirea
Having the right pruning tools makes the job easier:
- Bypass Hand Pruners – Makes clean cuts on stems up to 1⁄2 inch diameter
- Loppers – Cuts thicker branches up to 1 1⁄2 inches
- Pruning Saw – For old branches greater than 1 1⁄2 inches
- Pole Pruner – Access high branches from the ground
- Isopropyl Alcohol – Sterilize tools before and after
- Garden Gloves – Protect hands from thorns and debris
- Trash Bags – Safely dispose of clippings
How Much to Prune a Bridal Wreath Spirea
Don’t overdo it when pruning bridal wreath spirea. Here are some pruning guidelines:
- Remove up to 1/3 of total branches – Prevent shock by not overpruning
- Take out a few old branches at base each year – Gradually rejuvenate
- Prune errant branches anytime – Redirect growth and shape
- Cut back flower clusters after blooming – Encourage potential re-bloom
- Prune lightly after major pruning – Allow it to recover before heavy pruning again
The amount to prune depends on the shrub’s condition. Overgrown, over-mature shrubs may need rejuvenation pruning to restore shape and blooming. Avoid removing more than 1/3 of branches at one time.
When to Stop Pruning Bridal Wreath Spirea
Cease pruning bridal wreath spirea in late summer through early fall. Pruning at this time removes wood that will produce flowers the following spring. Stop pruning about 6-8 weeks before the average first frost in your climate.
Pruning in late summer interrupts the plant’s transition to dormancy. Growth slows as days shorten and temperatures cool. New growth triggered by late summer pruning can’t harden off properly before winter. Dieback occurs if tender new shoots aren’t hardened off before freezing weather.
Signs Your Bridal Wreath Spirea Needs Pruning
Bridal wreath spirea exhibits signs when it’s time for rejuvenation pruning:
- Lackluster flowers – Reduced blooms signal congestion preventing flower buds.
- Leggy appearance – Bare lower branches with leaves just on branch tips.
- Dead branches – Prune out dead and damaged wood.
- Crossing/rubbing branches – Branches growing inward and rubbing together.
- Overgrown shape – Shrub exceeds intended size and becomes irregular.
Routine pruning keeps your bridal wreath spirea shapely and floriferous. Follow proper timing and technique for a healthy, vibrant specimen that graces your garden with breathtaking spring blooms.
FAQ About Pruning Bridal Wreath Spirea
Still have questions about pruning bridal wreath spirea shrubs? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How often should you prune bridal wreath spirea?
- Prune annually for best results by removing oldest branches and spent blooms. Prune lightly after major pruning to shape and thin.
Should you deadhead bridal wreath spirea?
- Yes, deadheading spent blooms improves appearance and redirects energy to potential re-blooming or root growth.
Can you cut bridal wreath spirea to the ground?
- Severe rejuvenation by cutting to the ground is possible but should be done gradually over 2-3 years. Removing all branches stresses the plant.
Do bridal wreath spirea bloom on old or new wood?
- Bridal wreath spirea primarily bloom on one-year old wood. Pruning removes older wood encouraging new growth that gives blooms.
When do bridal wreath spirea bloom?
- Bridal wreath spirea typically bloom in mid to late spring depending on climate. Blooms emerge on bare branches before foliage.
Proper pruning keeps your bridal wreath spirea looking fabulous. Follow these tips for maximizing its graceful elegance and fabulous flowers in your garden.
Types of Bridal Wreath Spirea
Bridal wreath spirea is scientifically called Spiraea prunifolia and is native to China, Korea, and Taiwan.
- S. prunifolia Plena: The common bridal wreath spirea. Some people think that modern cultivars are better than Spiraea prunifolia, which has been grown since 1864. On the other hand, it can be a reliable and easy-to-take-care-of shrub for less formal gardens, like those found around farmhouses and other rural homes.
- Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora: This is a naturally occurring type with only one flower that is rarely sold.
- Spiraea x vanhouttei: A hybrid shrub, a cross between S. trilobata and S. cantoniensis. This hybrid is similar to S. prunifolia, but this one is bigger—it can grow up to 12 feet across—and can handle temperatures as low as zone 3.
- FiregoldTM, Gold Fountain, and Pink Ice: Common cultivars of S. x vanhoutttei.
Pruning
If you want to keep the shrubs in one place, you will need to cut off the ground suckers that grow from this plant.
If desired, the shrubs can be pruned for shape or size immediately after the spring flowering period. Always use clean, sharp pruning shears. Every time you prune, you should get rid of all the dead wood and some of the oldest stems all the way down to the ground. This will open up the center of the shrub to sunlight to reinvigorate it. Tips of branches can also be trimmed to control the shrubs size.