Birchleaf spirea
Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor'
Birchleaf spirea (Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2 to 3 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Compact mounding spirea, white flat-topped flowers, dependable orange-red fall color. Plant Select pick.
low to medium water2 to 3 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Eugene Popov, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Lena Perova, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Lena Perova, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 2 to 3 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~3 ft apart (2 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom length
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Fall color
- Red, orange, purple
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids
- Spider mites in heat
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Birchleaf spirea good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Birchleaf spirea is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Birchleaf spirea get?
- It matures to about 2 to 3 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Birchleaf spirea?
- Space Birchleaf spirea about 3 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 2 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Birchleaf spirea hardy on the Front Range?
- Birchleaf spirea is hardy in USDA 3 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Birchleaf spirea need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Birchleaf spirea grow?
- Birchleaf spirea is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does Birchleaf spirea turn in fall?
- Birchleaf spirea turns red, orange, and purple in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Birchleaf spirea native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Birchleaf spirea a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes. Birchleaf spirea is in Plant Select®, the plant-recommendation program run by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens to highlight plants that thrive in the region.
- Is Birchleaf spirea prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Birchleaf spirea can be affected by aphids and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
- How long does Birchleaf spirea bloom?
- Birchleaf spirea blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
