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Plant of the Week
Anthony Waterer Spirea
Latin: Spiraea X bumulda 'Anthony Waterer'
 Selecting shrubs for early summer bloom is a chore because Mother Nature
seems to have not held this time frame in high regard -- at least as far as
blooms are concerned.
The summer flowering spireas have consistently helped provide beauty for the
early summer display. Not only are these plants summer flowering, they are also
small of stature and fit nicely in the smaller landscapes we use today.
Anthony Waterer Spirea is one of the summer flowering spireas that bloom on new
growth each summer. The flowers are pink to cherry-colored and while
individually small, are borne in a flat head up to four inches across. It is a
deciduous member of the rose family that grows to about 30 inches tall and wide.
Leaves are willow-like and, in this selection, often variegated. Anthony Waterer
Spirea is extremely variable in its variegation pattern. Often times, entire
branches will be produced with all leaves white and completely lacking in
chlorophyll. In other leaves the leaf will be divided down the middle with half
variegated and half normal. Most leaves though are completely normal and show no
variegation.
The species from which this selection were introduced from Japan into England
about 1865. In the 1880s the variegated form was discovered and named after the
nurseryman at the Knapp Hill Nursery where it was first propagated. This plant,
and its more dwarf cousin, Spiraea japonica, have produced yellow-leafed forms
which have become popular plants in the nursery trade.
Spireas, such as Anthony Waterer make excellent plants for adding to the front
of mixed shrub borders that have a lot of evergreen plants. The twiggy deciduous
form of the plant softens the stark green leaves of the evergreens in winter. In
the summer the pink flowers add an interesting foil to the landscape.
Spireas are best suited to full sun conditions. They are not particular about
soil type but, like most shrubs, grow faster and bloom more profusely in richer
soil. Once established they show excellent drought tolerance. If pruning is
needed, cut them back hard just before new growth begins in the spring.
By: Gerald Klingaman, retired
Extension Horticulturist
- Ornamentals
Extension News -
June 18, 1999
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