Overgrown spirea has tangled, messy branches and dead stems that make it less than attractive.

Lastly, routine pruning solves the ugly plant problem. Without proper airflow, fungal diseases thrive. Pruning also improves airflow, which is vital to the wellbeing of the spirea. Removal of dead or excess branches allows sunlight better penetration to the interior and lower branches. Regular, scheduled trimming promotes good health and new growth. Plan on pruning a spirea bush at least twice a year. To keep spirea looking great and to promote blooming, trim the plant at least twice per year.Pruning Spirea Spirea bushes with red fall foliage and dead flowers blossoms are ready for a prune. Also, at this time, remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems along with those that cross each other. Japanese spirea should be tip pruned in late winter or early spring prior to bud swell and before the shrub leafs out. In the spring, spirea will reward you’re courageous pruning with new stems and plenty of blossoms. Don’t worry that the plant won’t bounce back. With sharp shears, cut each stem back to about 8 inches (20 cm.) from the ground. Try to make the cuts within ¼ inch (6 mm.) of a leaf or bud.įall is the time for the most severe pruning of spirea. Throughout the summer, the plants shape can be maintained by cutting back overgrown spirea shoots or stems as well as any dead or diseased branches. In the spring, after the first blooms are spent, cut the dead flowers back by trimming spirea’s stem tips back to the topmost leaf on each stem. Other varieties of spirea, such as Japanese spirea, respond better to pruning in the late winter months. Spirea pruning not only rejuvenates the plant and encourages blooming, but it also helps to restrain the size of the shrub.Īlso, trimming spirea back, in many cases, will induce a second bloom. All spirea shrubs produce flowers on new wood, which is why cutting back spirea shrubs is so important. There are a number of spirea cultivars ranging in height from 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) tall up to 10 feet (3 m.) and the same across. The following article contains information on how to prune spirea along with other helpful tips for cutting back spirea shrubs. Pruning spirea after a couple of years will rejuvenate the plant. Spirea blooms consistently and profusely on new wood after some time the plant begins to look a bit bedraggled with few blooms. Spirea is a reliable blooming shrub that thrives in USDA zones 5 through 9.

Spirea tor birchleaf pruning