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Spiraea prunifolia | Bridal Wreath

First Bloom dates:

2017 March 1

2018 March 14

2019 March 28

2020 March 13

2022 March 21

2023 March 29

2024 March 4 (pruned April 13, that's 6 weeks of lovely!)

 

Spiraea prunifolia | Bridal Wreath

Rosaceae (Rose Family) Pronounced ro-ZAY-see-eye

Pronounced Spy-REE-ah Proo-ni-FOH-lee-uh

The name Spiraea is from the Greek word  "speira" which means "wreath." The name Prunifolia references the leaves that are like the genus Prunus, which are flowering fruit trees.

My Spiraea has been in my yard since before we moved into our home in 1986. It blooms faithfully early every Spring with double white flowers.

I usually call this "Bridal's Wreath," but the name is not possessive.

My Bridal Wreath does require me to prune it back a lot after it blooms, but that is the only maintenance to this shrub. It is a gorgeous shrub and I find joy in it every year.

The shrub is deciduous, so it stays green throughout the garden season. After it is trimmed back, new growth occurs and next year's flowers are on this new growth.

The branches are so graceful as they arch and flow down. The white flowers are so tiny. To truly appreciate the beauty of this shrub, one must get up close and observe the delicate flowers along the branches. The branches do make great cut flowers that can be bent into the shape of a wreath and placed on top of the bride's head. The pure white flowers match the pure white dress of the bride. They also make a great filler for flower vases.

This basic cultivar has been around since 1864, making the words "old-fashioned" very fitting for this shrub.

I absolutely love my Bridal Wreath shrub! It was not in full bloom when I recorded the video as a few days later it was absolutely gorgeous!

2024

2023

2022

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

I remember that we had another something growing next to the Bridal Wreath for many years that we kept cutting back as it was like a weed that was a bush. This is the year in 2013 that we finally dug it up and it has made a big difference for the Bridal Wreath not having to compete with anything else.

2011

2008

2007

2006

Ah! The before is below and the after is above.

2002

 

 

 

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