Sorbaria sorbifolia Seeds | Arborea

False Spiraea seeds (Sorbaria sorbifolia)

LATIN NAME: Sorbaria sorbifolia

COMMON NAME: False Spiraea

Plant Profile

Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, False Spiraea (Sorbaria sorbifolia) stands out as a fern in the rose family. False spiraea is cream plume of summer border, and dense, upright panicles of small flowers rise above fern-like leaves. Shrub is a fine, generous presence of mixed border, and it is a shrub of open, sunny to partly shaded, deep, moist, well-drained ground. The ratio of effort to reward here is about as good as gardening gets.

Science & Biotechnology

Within the rose family, Sorbaria sorbifolia is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. In practice, its long garden history means the grower inherits a plant of known and dependable habits.

Uses & Benefits

False Spiraea brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. False spiraea is a fine, bold shrub of mixed border and summer garden. It has been written up in horticultural papers for cream plumes and generous ways, and it is a fine, bold shrub of open, sunny to partly shaded, deep, moist, well-drained garden. Give young shrub open, sunny spot, and it will grow on fast through the first season. After the first season it asks for very little beyond a place that suits it.

False spiraea foams with creamy summer plumes for bees; it is a tough, suckering shrub for big informal gardens.

Growing from Seed

False Spiraea is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Level a tray of loose seed compost, sow evenly, cover to about the seed’s own depth, and keep it moist in full light. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.

Our Take

Its long record of traditional use, described above, gives the plant a story beyond ornament. It is a solid representative of the Sorbaria group, true to type from seed. Give the seed freshness and steady moisture, and nature handles the rest.

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