Bridal Wreath Spirea

Spiraea prunifolia is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan. Its long, arching stems are lined with small double white flowers in mid-spring before the leaves fully emerge, creating the dense cascading effect responsible for its common name. Fall foliage turns orange to burnt-red, giving the plant a second season of ornamental value.

Shrubs form a fountain-shaped mound and bloom on old wood, so timing of any pruning matters: cut stems only immediately after flowering. Pruning later removes the buds that produce next spring's display. Plants sucker freely; remove unwanted basal stems each year to keep spread in check. Full sun produces the heaviest show, though plants tolerate light shade. Avoid sites with poor drainage, as wet roots promote fungal problems. Mulch over the root zone helps retain moisture and moderate soil temperature.

The genus name Spiraea is historically linked to the discovery of salicylates — meadowsweet, once classified as Spiraea ulmaria, yielded the compound that gave aspirin its name — but S. prunifolia itself has no documented medicinal or culinary application.