Alpina Spirea

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

12 - 15 Inches

Mature Spread

4-5 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Alpina Spirea (Spiraea japonica var Alpina) is a hardy dwarf shrub perfect for a group planting or groundcover. Boasting shades of deep and light pink, the flowers appear in June. The compact spirea, which reaches only 12 to 15 inches high and 4 to 5 feet in spread, packs more flowers than you would imagine on a dwarf plant. It’s also tougher than it looks, hardy in the cold of zone 4 and to the heat of zone 8.

Its size makes Alpina Spirea perfect for planting in groups or to form low borders in garden beds. The pink flowers appear in clusters to brighten early summer gardens. In general, spireas have joined the ranks of the most popular garden plants. This variety also is an easy-care perennial shrub, and a good starter plant for new gardeners. 

Alpina Spirea Care

Plant your spirea in spring or fall in a sunny spot of the garden that receives at least 6 hours of sun a day. The shrub will produce the best flower and color with this minimum amount of sunlight. Prepare a hole in soil that drains well, making the hole twice as large as the new plant’s container. Water thoroughly and add a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch to help hold in moisture above the roots.

Continue to water regularly in its first growing season. Once it is mature, your dwarf spirea can handle some drought and will not want to sit in soggy soil. Prune established plants in late winter or early spring for shape and to remove problem branches. You also can prune them lightly after their early summer flowers fade to promote new growth. Each spring, give the shrub an application of a controlled-release fertilizer to help feed it through its growing season.

Alpina Spirea Spacing

Space Alpina Spirea shrubs at least 4 feet apart to give them room to spread. If you are wanting a groundcover or border effect, place them a little closer together.