Arching branches carry a profusion of white spring flower clusters. Spiraea vanhouttei develops a broad, vase-shaped outline whose canes bend toward the ground, giving a hedge, screen, border, or foundation planting a loose flowering edge. Butterflies visit the flowers, while deer generally avoid the shrub.
A mature plant reaches about 5-8 ft. tall and 7-10 ft. wide. Small alternate leaves are dark blue-green, with irregularly toothed margins and a diamond-shaped to obovate outline. Some plants develop purplish foliage in fall, although that color is not reliable. Space plants at least 7 ft. apart when their mature width needs room to develop.
Grow in full sun for the best flowering, or use light shade, in moist but well-drained soil. The shrub accepts clay, loam, or sand and acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions. Established plants tolerate some drought. Prune immediately after flowering so the old wood that carries the next spring display is not removed later.
