Definition

Noun: 1. A plant of the genus Spiraea: Any of various shrubs belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae), characterized by clusters of small white or pink flowers. 2. A specific ornamental shrub (Astilbe japonica): A popular garden plant, often called "false spirea," which produces dense, showy plumes of flowers in various colors and is frequently cultivated for floral displays, especially around Easter.

Examples

• The garden's border was lined with spirea, its delicate white blooms attracting butterflies.
• Florists often use forced spirea in their spring arrangements.
• She pruned the spirea bush after it finished flowering to encourage new growth.

Advanced Usage

• Horticultural Classification: While commonly called "spirea," the popular garden plant with colorful plumes is botanically . True species are typically spring-blooming with clusters of smaller flowers.
• Forcing: This refers to the horticultural practice of making a plant bloom out of its natural season, a common technique used with spirea () for early spring holidays.

Variants and Related Words

• Spiraea: The standard botanical spelling of the genus name.
• Astilbe: The correct genus name for the commonly cultivated "false spirea" or "meadowsweet" found in gardens.
• Bridal wreath: A common name for , a species known for its cascading white flowers.

Synonyms

• Meadowsweet (for some species)
• False spirea (for )

Related Phrases

• Spirea bush: A common way to refer to the shrub in a garden context.
• Pruning spirea: A standard gardening task for maintaining the plant's shape and health.

Noun

1. any rosaceous plant of the genus Spiraea; has sprays of small white or pink flowers
2. a Japanese shrub that resembles members of the genus Spiraea; widely cultivated in many varieties for its dense panicles of flowers in many colors; often forced by florists for Easter blooming