Spiraea spp. – Bridal Wreath / Spirea

 Spiraea spp. – Bridal Wreath / Spirea (گلابی جھاڑی / دلہن کی چادر)

- Graceful white or pink flower sprays, – Compact and shrubby in habit, – A favorite for borders and spring bloomers

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🌿 Botanical Name: Spiraea spp. (spy-REE-uh)
🌿 Family: Rosaceae (roh-ZAY-see-ee)
🧊 Hardiness Zone (USA): 4–9
📏 Height: Varies by species – from 1.5 to 6 feet tall and wide

Nathia Gali - 7 July 2025

🍃 Foliage: Deciduous or semi-evergreen (depending on species); oval or lance-shaped leaves that may turn golden-orange in autumn; dense and twiggy habit

🌸 Flowering Period (Lahore/Punjab): March to April – tiny white or pink flowers bloom in cascading clusters or flat-topped umbels, depending on the variety

🌼 Companion Plants:

• Kerria japonica – for yellow contrast in early spring

• Lavandula angustifolia – to soften the shrub’s base

• Daylilies – for summer color succession

🏡 Garden Usage:
Excellent for foundation plantings, border hedges, mass groupings, or as a single accent shrub; also suits Japanese or romantic cottage gardens

🍈 Fruition: Produces small, dry seed capsules post-bloom; not showy

🌱 Soil: Well-drained, fertile loam or sandy soil; adapts well to urban and clay soils with added compost

⚖️ pH Value: 6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

💧 Water:
Moderate watering needed, especially in Lahore’s dry spells; deep water once or twice weekly in summer

🌡️ Temperature:
Grows moderately well in Lahore, especially in cooler, shaded gardens or in clay-loam beds with mulch.
Prefers spring and autumn activity; may go semi-dormant in peak summer heat above 42°C

☀️ Location Preference (sun or shade):
Full sun to partial shade – in Lahore, partial shade preferred to reduce leaf scorch and extend blooming

🌾 Propagation:
By softwood or hardwood cuttings in spring; layering and division also work well

🐛 Pesticides:
Generally pest-free; occasional aphids or spider mites can be managed with neem or soapy water

🌻 Fertilizers:
Balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring; compost top-dressing encourages better flowering

🦋 Attractiveness to Wildlife:
Attracts bees, butterflies, and ladybirds; flowers support early-season pollinators

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💡 Lahore Growth Note:
While Spirea thrives in temperate zones, select hardy cultivars like Spiraea prunifolia (Bridal Wreath) for Lahore. Plant in partially shaded beds, mulch well, and prune after flowering to manage heat stress and promote fresh shoots.

🌼 May you enjoy planting, shaping, and watching this elegant Spirea (گلابی جھاڑی / دلہن کی چادر) as it dances in the spring breeze across your garden paths.