Spiraea × vanhouttei ‘Pink Ice’

This cultivar of Spiraea x vanhouttei brings together the classic arching habit of the species with the added interest of pink-tinged blooms and cream-variegated leaves. The flowers appear in late spring, held in dense clusters along the stems, while the foliage provides season-long colour contrast in the garden.

It grows as a vigorous, deciduous shrub reaching around 1.5 to 2 metres in height and spread. The plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It’s not fussy about soil type and tolerates both neutral and slightly alkaline conditions.

Prune immediately after flowering to maintain shape and encourage next year’s blooms. This shrub works well in mixed borders, as an informal hedge, or as a specimen where its arching branches can be appreciated. It’s also valuable for early season interest when many other shrubs are still emerging.