Plant Spotlight: ‘Tor’ Birchleaf Spirea
Could you tell me the name of your favorite spirea? You just rolled your eyes, didn’t you?
That’s okay. While spirea is a commonly used plant for landscapers, it’s not the plant that customers get excited about when they’re at the nursery. Most people wouldn’t even recognize this favorite as spirea, though.
This little gem is called ‘Tor.’
About ‘Tor’ Spirea
‘Tor’ is a birchleaf spirea with deep green foliage in the summer that has a slightly blue tint in the spring. This small shrub is covered with charming white flowers from late spring to early summer. Autumn brings a colorful kaleidoscope of orange, red, and purple.
‘Tor’ Birchleaf Spirea in the Landscape
Birchleaf spirea has dense foliage that is somewhat oval and rather birch-like. This tidy little birchleaf offers a quiet charm to cottage gardens or elegance to formal landscapes. It draws in butterflies early in the season while, at the same time, deters deer.
Growing Birchleaf Spirea
This low-maintenance shrub can be pruned after it blooms. It can also be given a hard pruning in late winter to rejuvenate it. Birchleaf spirea needs full sun and plenty of water to thrive.
‘Tor’ Spirea
Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tor’
| Zone: | 4 – 8 |
| Height: | 2 – 3 feet |
| Spread: | 2 – 3 feet |
| Bloom Time: | May to June |
| Bloom Description: | White |
| Plant Description: | Deep green foliage on densely mounded plants |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Water: | Medium – does not like to dry out completely |
| Maintenance: | Cut back after blooms are finished or rejuvenate in late winter |
| Features: | Attracts butterflies, tolerates deer |
| Notes: | The cultivar’s name comes from the Gaelic word torr meaning hill or mound, a reference to the habit of the plant. |
