Sorbaria
False spiraea
- Height × spread
- 1m – 4m × 1.2m – 6m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A genus of four shrubs that originate in east Asia. They all have a suckering habit and can develop into a clump of moderate size. The dimensions can be controlled by pruning. The foliage is picturesque and there are heads of white flowers in spring or summer. In the species 'kirilowii' the flowers are spicily fragrant, 'sorbifolia' is extremely hardy and produces sweetly fragrant flowers during summer. The Himalayan 'tomentosa' and its forms makes a spreading colony with large airy heads of cream flowers in summer. Finally 'grandiflora' is a compact shrub that stands around a metre in high and is, again, summer flowering. There are one or two ornamental forms and cultivars also available.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1m – 4m
- Spread
- 1.2m – 6m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Remove suckers
Remove any suckers that have appeared round the base of the plant. They can often be pulled up, but it may be necessary to use secateurs or loppers to detach them from the parent plant.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has flowered, cut all the flowered shoots back to healthy buds that are lower on the stems. When the plant is established, take out a quarter of the oldest branches to the ground at this time.