Common Name:

General Information

Spiraea crenata is an erect, deciduous shrub with a dense, bushy habit; it can grow around 100 - 150cm tall[, , ].
The plant is used in Russia to stabilize sandy soils. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eurasia - Spain, European Russia south through the Ukraine to the Balkans, east to eastern Siberia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Iran

Habitat

Forest steppe zone, thickets of steppe shrubs, forest edges, steppe sands, fields, boundaries, high areas in river floodplains, less often on open stony and silty slopes, rarely on limestone slopes[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Inects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Tolerates most soils[], but prefers a good loamy soil, abundant moisture and full sunlight[, ].
Species in this genus generally hybridize freely with other members of this genus, and so seed cannot be relied upon to come true unless the plant has been grown in isolation from other species that are flowering at the same time[].
The plant flowers mainly on short growths growing from the previous year's wood. Shortening back the shoots in late winter to early spring, and cutting out old, weak shoots, can increase the quality and quantity of flowers[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used to stabilize sandy soils[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if possible. It is likely to require stratification before it germinates, so stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as you receive it. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a light sandy soil a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15cm long, autumn in an outdoor frame[].