Spiraea thunbergii Mount Fuji - Japanese Spiraea

Spiraea thunbergii 'Mount Fuji' is a variety of variegated Spirea that is not widely cultivated. Its willow-like leaves are randomly variegated with cream, giving the shrub a delicate appearance. In autumn, the foliage turns yellow and orange. It has an early spring flowering, with white to pink flowers blooming along its slender branches. With its modest size, the shrub has a delicate appearance that belies its very hardy nature. Showcase this spirea by planting it as a standalone specimen on a lawn or by pairing it with other early-flowering shrubs in a border or small flowering hedge.

Thunberg Spirea, also known as "baby's breath", belongs to the Rosaceae family. This long-lived botanical species is native to China and has been cultivated in Japanese gardens for a long time. The cultivar 'Mount Fuji' is a fast-growing shrub with slender branches. Its somewhat unusual habit resembles a slightly dishevelled bouquet. The branches are initially upright and become more or less trailing and twisted at the ends. Eventually, the plant will reach a size of between 1m and 1.50m in all directions. The abundant flowering occurs between late March and April, depending on the climate, just before the leaves appear. The white flowers, with five petals, are solitary or grouped in small clusters along the previous year's branches. They are followed by fruit that has no horticultural interest but is attractive to birds for feeding. Spiraea thunbergii 'Mount Fuji' (sometimes marketed as 'Variegata') develops dense foliage that is semi-evergreen in mild climates and deciduous elsewhere. Its variegated leaves are thin and measure 4cm long by 1.5cm wide. The soft-textured lamina has coarse, toothed margins. The foliage takes on beautiful shades of golden yellow, salmon pink, or bright orange when exposed to cold temperatures.

The infinitely graceful 'Mount Fuji' Thunberg Spirea is one of the first shrubs to bloom in spring. This early flowering, so appreciated when winter seems never-ending, extends the flowering period of borders and beds. It can be planted in groups of three, as a large border, or even as a small flowering hedge. To create a beautiful and delicate spring ensemble, it can be paired with a 'Raspberry Profusion' Abelia covered in flowers from May to October, a 'Cameo' Japanese Quince flowering from March, or a Prunus x cistena, which is also one of the first flowering shrubs. The 'Annelies' shrub rose will take over until October. Spiraea thunbergii 'Mount Fuji' fits well in Japanese, English, naturalistic, country and romantic gardens, as well as in small city gardens.