Practical
Plants

Spiraea blumei

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Spiraea
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

The leaves are a tea substitute[3][4].

Product or use
Tea

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Thickets and ravines, 600 - 2000 metres in W. Hupeh[1]. Sunny slopes, mixed forests and roadsides at elevations of 500 - 2000 metres[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if possible. It is likely to require stratification before it germinates, so stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as you receive it. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a light sandy soil a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15cm long, October/November in an outdoor frame[5]. Another report says that September is a good time to do this[2]. Division of suckers in early spring[5]. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

Tolerates most soils[5], but prefers a good loamy soil, abundant moisture and full sunlight[2][5]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[2]. A variable species, it is often confused in gardens with S. trilobata[2][5].

References

  1. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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