Sorbaria spp.

false spiraea

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 2–8

Overview

Sorbaria spp. is a genus of deciduous, suckering shrubs in the family Rosaceae, native to temperate and eastern Asia. Plants form upright to arching, multi-stemmed clumps 3-10 feet (0.9-3 m) tall and as wide or wider, spreading by underground suckers to make broad thickets. The leaves are pinnately compound, 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long, with 9-25 sharply toothed leaflets that open bronze-pink and mature to green. In summer the stems carry large terminal panicles of many small creamy-white flowers, each spray 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long. The genus grows in moist, fertile soil in sun to partial shade and tolerates cold well. Its suckering habit lets it spread quickly, which can crowd a small bed and need regular control. Species range from the compact S. sorbifolia to the larger S. tomentosa. Foliage turns yellow in autumn before dropping. Hardiness spans roughly USDA zones 2 to 8.

Native Range

Sorbaria spp. is native to temperate and eastern Asia, from the Ural region and Siberia through China, Korea, Japan, and the Himalaya. Species grow along streams, in moist thickets, and at woodland margins.

Suggested Uses

Used in shrub borders, for bank stabilization, and in naturalized or screening plantings where its spread is wanted. Spaced 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) apart, plants knit into a dense thicket. The compact S. sorbifolia suits smaller gardens and large containers.

How to Identify

Recognized by pinnately compound leaves 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long with 9-25 toothed leaflets, borne on upright to arching multi-stemmed shrubs 3-10 feet (0.9-3 m) tall. New growth opens bronze-pink before turning green. Large terminal plumes of small creamy-white flowers in summer, combined with the suckering, thicket-forming habit, separate the genus from the true spiraeas it resembles.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 10'

Width/Spread4' - 10'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Flowering occurs in summer, generally June to August. Many small creamy-white flowers crowd into large terminal panicles up to 12 inches (30 cm) long, opening from the base of the spray upward. The faded flower heads persist as brown seed clusters into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Green, opening bronze-pink

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to partial shade in moist, fertile soil and tolerate a wide pH range from about 5.5 to 7.5. Steady moisture supports vigorous growth, and the genus grows most strongly where soils do not dry out for long. It tolerates clay and seasonal wetness better than many shrubs. The suckering roots spread widely, so a defined bed edge or root barrier limits the colony. Cold hardiness is high, reaching well into the coldest temperate zones. Hardiness covers USDA zones 2 to 8.

Pruning

Flowers form on new wood, so stems are cut back hard in late winter or early spring to shape the clump and encourage strong flowering shoots. Suckers are removed through the season to contain the spread. Old or weak stems are taken to the base to renew the thicket.

Pruning Schedule

late winterearly spring