Tor birchleaf spirea

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; sun gives the most flowers and strongest autumn colour.

Water

Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, water deeply during prolonged dry spells; avoid constantly wet soil.

Soil

Average, well-drained soil that retains some moisture; tolerates clay if drainage is adequate and a range of soil pH.

Height

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Spread

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Flowers

Late spring to early summer; small white flowers in broad, flat-topped clusters.

Foliage

Small, rounded to oval, toothed, dark green leaves resembling birch leaves; autumn colour ranges from yellow and orange to red and purple.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Cold hardy
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.8 ft (0.55 m)

3. After 2 years

   2 ft (0.6 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.1 ft (0.65 m)

5. After 5 years

   2.5 ft (0.75 m)

   full size

About 5 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the US

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water deeply when the root zone starts to dry during the first growing season.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Top-dress with compost in spring; use fertiliser only if growth is weak or the soil is poor.
• Water established shrubs during prolonged drought, especially in hot, exposed sites.
• Remove unwanted rooted shoots at the edge of the clump if they extend beyond its allotted space.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, remove dead or damaged stems and thin out a few of the oldest stems at ground level if the shrub is crowded. Shorten remaining shoots lightly if needed; routine hard shearing is unnecessary.

Autumn

Plant while the soil is workable, water thoroughly and mulch the root zone.

Late winter

Remove dead stems and thin crowded older growth before new leaves open.

Spring

Top-dress with compost and refresh mulch without covering the stem bases.

Early summer

Enjoy flowering; trim off spent clusters if a tidier appearance is wanted.

Summer

Check soil moisture during dry weather and water deeply when needed.

• Plant in a low, informal hedge along a path, allowing room for its rounded outline.
• Repeat in small groups near the front of a mixed shrub border for white early-summer flowers.
• Combine with ornamental grasses and late-flowering perennials for contrasting texture and autumn colour.
• Use beside entrances or below windows where a compact deciduous shrub will not obstruct views.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, Traditional, Low-maintenance, Pollinator garden, Small-space and Autumn colour.

Plant it with: Hardy geranium, Catmint, Purple coneflower, Autumn stonecrop, Feather reed grass and Lady's mantle.

Wildlife: Flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other small insects. The branching growth offers some shelter, though it is not a major food plant for birds.

• Aphids may cluster on soft new shoots; dislodge them with water and encourage ladybirds and other predators.
• Powdery mildew can affect crowded plants; improve airflow, water the soil rather than the leaves, and avoid excessive nitrogen feeding.
• Root rot can develop in waterlogged soil; improve drainage or move the shrub to a better-drained position.
• Sparse flowering often results from deep shade or pruning after spring growth has developed; provide more sun and prune before growth starts.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. No part is recognised as a significant poisoning hazard, but it is an ornamental plant rather than a food plant.

• Tor Gold birchleaf spirea (Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor Gold')

  Similar compact habit and white flowers, but its foliage is yellow to yellow-green rather than the dark green of 'Tor'.

• Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica)

  Usually has narrower, more pointed leaves and pink flowers, although white-flowered cultivars exist; 'Tor' has broader, birch-like leaves.

• Bridal wreath spirea (Spiraea prunifolia)

  Forms a much larger shrub with long, arching branches and flowers along the stems, rather than the compact mound and terminal flower clusters of 'Tor'.

The species name betulifolia means birch-leaved, referring to the resemblance of its foliage to birch leaves.

Propagation. Take softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer, or layer a low-growing shoot. Seedlings will not reliably retain the characteristics of 'Tor'.

Accepted botanical name

Spiraea betulifolia

In the US and Canada

Native in the lower 48 states.

Native range

Amur, Japan, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Korea, Kuril Is., Magadan, Primorye, Sakhalin and Yakutskiya.

Measured

Soil pH 6 to 7.5. Average height 91 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.