Quick Guide: summer, hardy, full sun, height:1.2m/4ft, width: 1.5m/5ft

Spiraeas bear tiny star-shaped flowers of white or shades of pink in flat or plume-shaped clusters. They are good subjects for a mixed border and are often grown as decorative hedging.

GROWING Plant between autumn and spring in deep, rich soil in an open sunny position. Prune Spiraea x bumalda and S. japonica in early spring, cutting back to 10cm/4in from ground level. Remove dead flowerheads. Thin out all species after flowering. Young plants for hedging should be set between 38 and 60cm/15 and 24in apart. Cut back the previous season's growth to within 15cm/6in of ground level after planting. Trim established hedges every year.

PROPAGATION Lift, divide and replant between autumn and spring. Or, take 10cm/4in cuttings of half-ripe side shoots in summer and insert in sandy soil in a cold frame. Transfer to a nursery bed the next spring and plant out in the autumn.

SPECIES S. x arguta, commonly known as bridal wreath, a beautiful hybrid bearing umbels of pure white flowers on arching stems in spring, max height 2.4m/8ft, excellent underplanted with crocuses or cyclamen; S. x bumalda, hybrid bearing 12.5cm/5in wide heads of bright pink flowers; `Anthony Waterer' (above) is a popular variety with foliage variegated cream and pink when young; S. x japonica, maximum height 1.5m/5ft, large pink flowerheads on erect stems.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Leaves may be stripped by sawfly.