b'2023 NATIONAL GARDEN BUREAUS YEAR OF CROPS YEAR OF THE SPIREAOrigin: Native to eastern Asia and grows wild throughout China,Korea and Japan.Family: RosaceaeScientific Name: SpireaeHistory: As one of the easiest flowering shrubs to grow, spireas were easily transplanted into North America from Asia. Harvards Abortorium reports that spirea seed was collected as early as 1905 from John George Jack during a trip to Korea, and the original plant still grows on Harvards campus today. Colors: Foliage can range from blueto yellow, red to orange and everything in between. Basic Variety Types: There are a few different common variety typesof spireas sold today, including: Japanese spirea, Bumalda spirea, Birchleaf spirea, Korean spirea and Vanhoutte or Bridal Wreath spirea. Popular Varieties: Little SparkRainbow FizzPink Sparkler BirchleafTor BirchleafFlow Girl BirchleafSuperstarDouble Play DoozieRenaissance BridalwreathFiregoldName Origin: The genus name Spirea originates from the Greek word speira which means wreath in refence to the orientation of the shrubs flowers.Did You Know?: Spirea are great candidates for erosion control along hillsides, which means they can form a beautiful, flowering mass groundcover. Dont Mistake it For: Make sure that you dont mistake spireas for False spireas, an entirely different plant! Sorbaria sorbifolia, otherwise known as a false spirea is a hardy deciduous shrub with clusters of small, white blooms in June and July. Breeders: Monrovia, Proven Winners, First Editions, Earl May, Burpee, Bloomin Easy, Meadows FarmsSources: National Garden Bureau, Harvard Arnold Abortorium32/ SEEDWORLD.COMFEBRUARY 2023'