Birchleaf spirea
Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor'
Birchleaf spirea (Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–3 ft tall and 2–3 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 water2–3 ft tall and 2–3 ft wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Deer-resistant
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 3–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 2–3 ft tall and 2–3 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
- 2–3 weeks
- Fall color
- Red, orange, purple
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
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 2–3 ft tall and 2–3 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 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–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 deer-resistant?
- Birchleaf spirea is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Birchleaf spirea a good firewise plant near the house?
- Birchleaf spirea is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- 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.
