Spiraea arguta

Spiraea arguta, also known as the Toothed Spirea, is a graceful and compact small bush with flexible and trailing branches, completely covered in spring with a multitude of white flowers for three weeks. It is not demanding and can be planted in any garden. Its graceful and rural appearance naturally makes it suitable for large flower beds or hedgerows.

Spiraea arguta (synonym Spiraea multiflora 'Alba') belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a hybrid obtained from crossing Spiraea x multiflora (another hybrid) and the species Spiraea thunbergii. This bush has a rounded habit, dense vegetation, long and slender upright branches that then trail at the ends, reaching an average of 1.50m (4ft 11in) in all directions. In certain particularly favourable growing conditions, the plant can reach a height of 2m (6ft 7in) to 2.50m (8ft 2in).

The spectacular and abundant flowering takes place in April-May. The tiny white flowers, grouped in small umbels, appear along the branches of the previous year. They are followed by fruits of no horticultural interest, but are attractive to birds for feeding. Spiraea arguta has a bluish-greyish green foliage, which can turn yellow or even tinged with purple in autumn. The leaves are narrow, acute, finely toothed, and measure 2 to 3cm (0.8 to 1.2in).

Hardy, undemanding, requiring very little maintenance, this famous white spirea adapts to all climates, except for excessively arid conditions. It can be used in flower beds, as a standalone plant, in groups, and of course in flowering hedges. In the latter case, to create a small spring flower bed with a light touch, it can be combined with Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow', Spiraea prunifolia 'Plena', Prunus triloba 'Multiplex', Prunus x cistena, Prunus tenella, Ribes sanguineum, and white, pink, orange, or even red Cytisus x praecox, which are also frugal plants. In a small garden, this truly graceful bush looks great when planted in groups of 3 individuals on a short grass meadow.