Double White May Bush
A wonderful free flowering small shrub Spiraea cantoniensis is known as the ‘Double Bridal Wreath Spirea’.
It will reach around 2m in height and spread over 2-3m with long arching canes. Covered in masses of white flowers in spring its beauty is when it is left to take its natural form, so give it a little space.
This is a deciduous to evergreen shrub depending on the climate. Also known commonly known as the ‘May Bush’. The flowers are in clusters and form masses that almost cover the bush in spring.
Spiraea cantoniensis Care and Planting
A humus rich well drained soil is best, keep well mulched to maintain moisture and a cool root run. Full sun is best although a little afternoon shade is OK.
- Plant and water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mulch around the plant to retain a cool moist root run.
- In warmer climates provide a little more shade.
- When planting allow space for the plant to grow as over time it will spread to around 2 – 3 metres.
This a reasonably drought tolerant plant once established, and is fast growing.
Landscaping uses.
Spiraea cantoniensis is best planted where its weeping nature can be best shown off. Use it where it can weep from the garden boarder over a lawn. Plat it near a fence where the arching canes can soften the fence line.
Try planting it near the back of the border as a background plant for smaller shrubs. It looks great when used with evergreen plants, so try at the back of some smaller growing azaleas. Also useful as an informal border, or hedge in broader landscapes.
Pruning Spiraea cantoniensis
Plants can be left without pruning for a few years. Then older canes can be removed, or you can hard prune the whole plant to re invigorate it. Many gardeners prune lightly each spring to keep in shape, most likely an easier way for most.
This is a plant that flowers on old wood, last years growth, so the best time to prune them is after flowering.
We suggest that after 4 – 5 years you remove a few of the oldest canes each year, this helps reinvigorate the bush.
Use in the border, as a informal hedge in a larder garden or a specimen in the lawn.
Spiraea cantoniensis ‘lanceata’ ( syn flora pleno) in a named cultivar to look for.
Summary Description
- Botanical name : Spirea cantonensis lanceata
- Family : Roseacae
- Common Names : May Bush, White May Bush, Reeves May Bush.
- Origins : China and
- Position : Part shade to full sun depending on climate zone.
- Soil : Humus rich and well drained.
- Height : To around 2m (6ft)
- Growth rate : medium to fast.
- Spread : To around 1.5m (4ft)
- Foliage : Small leafed deciduous.
- Flowers : White
- Flowering Time: Spring
- Frost Tolerant :Yes
- Drought Tolerant : Medium
- Climate Zones
- Cool temperate to warm temperate, USDA Zones 7 -11.
The Name Spiraea?
Spiraea means Wreath in Ancient Greek. Cantoniensis refers to Canton in China and lanceata refers to the foliage meaning spear shaped.
So a wreath like flower from canton with spear shaped leaves.
Other Spirea species. Around 100 other species from Europe through to eastern Asia.
- S. cantoniensis ‘Flora Pleno’ (syn S.lanceata) with the popular ‘Reeve’s Spirea worth seeking out.
- Spiraea japonica – This is known as the Japanese spiraea with the cultivar ‘Gold Flame being popular’
- S. thunbergii – Masses of white flowers on a drought tolerant plant
Spiraea cantoniensis is available for sale from the following nurseries.
125 Palmer Rd Jindivick 3818
Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
www.muskersbroughtonhall.com.au