Sorbaria sorbifolia Matcha Ball

The Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Matcha Ball', also known as false spirea with sorbier leaves, is a new horticultural variety that appeared in 2020. Very similar to the 'Sem' variety but even more compact, it has gorgeous foliage composed of fine leaflets, which change from orange in spring to matcha green afterwards. Compact and non-invasive, this novelty resembles a lush fern with subtle shades and will be particularly advantageous near natural pools or water points in sunny or semi-shaded situations.

Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Matcha Ball' is a variety selected within Bailey Nurseries (United States). The wild Sorbaria sorbifolia is a shrub from the rose family originating from Siberia and eastern Asia (China, Korea, Mongolia, Japan). Due to its geographical origins, it has an excellent hardiness (-25°C (1°F)). Comfortable in cool or humid soil, it covers forest edges by producing numerous suckers.

Unlike the species, the 'Matcha Ball' variety is not invasive and, being very compact, it is therefore recommended for small gardens.

Indeed, it naturally forms a slightly wider ball (1.20 m (4ft)) than it is tall (1 m (3ft)), which will find its place in small-sized plant beds. The main asset of the False spirea with sorbier leaves 'Matcha Ball' is its decorative foliage. The odd-pinnate compound type consists of delicate leaflets with pointed tips arranged in opposite pairs along a long petiole ending in a single leaflet (hence their odd number). This "fishbone" arrangement gives a very airy appearance reminiscent of the most beautiful ferns. When they unfurl, the young leaves have a remarkable colouration ranging from red to peach-orange. They then mature into a chartreuse green hue, evoking the distinctive colour of matcha tea. The white flowering is not abundant, allowing the shrub to maintain its compact habit and regular globular shape.

The Sorbaria with sorbier leaves 'Matcha Ball' is a versatile shrub adapted to cool climates. It will find its place among larger shrubs in fresh or humid flower beds. It is welcome in small gardens, where it will brighten up dull shrub borders. Well-suited for cultivation in large pots, it will offer the spectacle of its subtle and changing hues from spring to autumn when placed on a terrace or balcony. 

But this shrub will be most advantageous at the edge of water features or ponds. It can be accompanied by other shrubs that thrive in cool conditions, such as Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga', Itea virginiana, Fothergilla major, or Salix purpurea 'nana'.

It can also be happily paired with perennial plants that prefer moist soils, with their flowers contrasting against its beautiful foliage and compensating for its limited flowering. The beautiful marsh primrose with its curious purple-red bicoloured flowers, the delicate bleeding heart with its graceful pink and white pendulous blooms, or the Astilbes with their vibrant colours are all well-suited choices.