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Rosaceae
Foam of May
Spiraea × vanhouttei
Cascading joy.
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Genus
- Spiraea
- Native to
- Hybrid origin (garden origin)
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- deciduous shrub
- Height
- 5-8 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- well-drained, adaptable
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 3-8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- When in full bloom, the arching branches are so densely covered with white flower clusters that the leaves are completely hidden, creating a foaming cascade effect.
- This hybrid, created from S. cantoniensis and S. trilobata, was developed in the 1860s and named after the Van Houtte nursery in Belgium.
- Foam of May was the most planted ornamental shrub in America during the early to mid-20th century.
- The individual flowers are only about a quarter inch across but are produced in such abundance that a mature shrub can have thousands of blooms.
- Bridal wreath spirea, as it is also known, was traditionally planted at the entrance of homes as a sign of welcome and celebration.
Color meanings
0
victory
1
elegance