Spiraea thunbergii

Spiraea thunbergii, the Thunberg's Spirea or more poetically Baby's Breath Spirea by English speakers, is one of the first of its genus to bloom in the garden, often as early as March. Of modest size, compact yet light, with slender and curiously arching branches, the bush displays a beautiful density coupled with a charmingly tousled appearance. The first spring transforms the plant into a dazzling mass from which white garlands seem to be swept away by the wind. Light in summer under its delicate, narrow foliage of fresh green, it becomes sumptuous in its beautiful autumn attire of almost pure orange. Showcase this spirea by placing it isolated on a lawn or by associating it with other early-flowering shrubs, in a flower bed or in a flowering hedge.

Thunberg's Spirea belongs to the rose family. This very long-lived botanical species is native to China, but has been cultivated for a long time in Japanese gardens. This highly branching bush, with compact vegetation, develops slender branches, particularly fine for a spirea. Initially erect, they are more or less trailing and twisted at the ends. At maturity, the plant will reach approximately 1.5m (4ft 11in) in height with a 2m (6ft 7in) spread, growing fairly quickly.  

The spectacular and very abundant flowering takes place in March-April depending on the climate, but occasionally occurs again in autumn. The very small white flowers with 5 petals, solitary or grouped in small clusters, appear along the branches of the previous year. They are followed by fruit of no horticultural interest, but interesting for attracting and feeding birds. Thunberg's Spirea develops dense foliage, evergreen in mild climates, deciduous elsewhere. Its leaves are small and thin, almost linear, measuring 2.5cm (1in) in length by 6mm (0.2in) in width. The lamina, with a soft texture, is coarsely toothed along the edges and light green in colour. The foliage takes on beautiful salmon pink to bright orange hues when exposed to cold temperatures.

Thunberg's Spirea can be used in beds, as a standalone plant, in groups, as a border, or even in a small flowering hedge. In the latter use, to create a small spring bed that is light and airy, it can be associated with a lemon yellow Forsythia, a Japanese quince, Spiraea prunifolia, Prunus x cistena, Prunus tenella or triloba Multiplex, and white, pink, orange or even red Cytisus x praecox, which are also frugal plants. Thunberg's Spirea is suitable for almost all styles of gardens: Japanese, contemporary, English, naturalistic, rural... as well as small urban gardens.