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Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Japanese spiraea 'Little Princess'

A compact, deciduous shrub to 50cm high, with dense foliage of small, mid-green leaves, and clusters of small, pale pink flowers with darker centres and prominent stamens in summer. Also provides good autumn colour

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Green
Autumn Red Yellow Orange
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Spiraea are deciduous shrubs, sometimes suckering, with simple leaves and short racemes, panicles or corymbs of small, 5-petalled white or pink flowers in spring or summer

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerant of all but the most extreme conditions

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 6, flowers on new wood

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to honey fungus

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