Spiraea × vanhouttei Pink Ice (Vanhoutte Spirea)
Noted for its stunning variegated foliage, Spiraea × vanhouttei ‘Pink Ice’ (Vanhoutte Spirea) is a bushy, mounding, deciduous shrub with elliptic, pale green leaves heavily speckled with white and tinged pink. This variegation tends to green out in summer, but this spirea is still a pretty choice for the landscape. In spring to early summer, abundant domed clusters of tiny white flowers grace the tips of the stems. Hardy and easy to care for, this flowering shrub is perfect for foundation plantings and hedges.
Noted for its stunning variegated foliage, Spiraea × vanhouttei 'Pink Ice' (Vanhoutte Spirea) is a bushy, mounding, deciduous shrub with elliptic, pale green leaves heavily speckled with white and tinged pink. This variegation tends to green out in summer, but this spirea is still a pretty choice for the landscape. In spring to early summer, abundant domed clusters of tiny white flowers grace the tips of the stems. Hardy and easy to care for, this flowering shrub is perfect for foundation plantings and hedges.
- Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm).
- A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade as well as a wide range of soil conditions. Some drought tolerance once established.
- Perfect choice for borders, foundation plantings, hedges, or as a specimen plant.
- Attracts butterflies but is ignored by deer.
- No serious pest and disease problems. Watch for leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew, root rot, aphids, leaf roller, and scale.
- Prune as needed immediately after flowering.
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer
- Native to Canada, China, United States
Requirements
| Hardiness | 3 – 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 1 – 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A1, A2, A3 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Spiraea – Spirea |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early) |
| Height | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
| Spread | 3' – 5' (90cm – 150cm) |
| Spacing | 36″ – 60″ (90cm – 150cm) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |