How to Trim a Bridal Wreath Spirea

Regular hedge trimmers can be used when trimming a bridal wreath spirea.

A bridal wreath spirea (Spiraea prunifolia) is a flowering shrub that blooms in early spring. A member of the rose family, the bridal wreath spirea offers gardens small white flowers during the spring, followed by small green leaves the rest of the growing season. It also features thin, spindly branches that can quickly become overgrown. For that reason, knowing the proper way to trim a bridal wreath spirea is important if your garden features the plant.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Hedge trimmers

Instructions

1. Check for buds that are ready to bloom. If you find any on your plant, wait to trim it. The bridal wreath spirea flowers on old wood, so you do not want to trim the shrub until all of the buds have blossomed and died.

2. Remove any dead, diseased or split branches using pruning shears or hedge trimmers. The width of the branch will dictate the tool you use.

3. Cut out any branches that interfere with the shape you want your bush to have. To do this, first look at the spirea and visualize the shape you want it to have. From there, identify any branches that are sticking out or interfering with the shape and remove them with your gardening tools.

4. Remove older branches from the base of the plant with hedge trimmers or pruning shears. Ideally, you want to remove 30 percent of the older branches to encourage new growth.

Tips & Warnings

• Step back and look at the bush after every two to three branches are removed. Make sure you are not taking out too much, or drastically altering the spirea's appearance.

• Rotate around the bush and take out branches from each side of the spirea.

References

• Bachman's Floral Garden & Gift: Spireas
• Yardener: Caring for Spirea