Spirea Snowmound

About the shrubs called Spirea: Everybody's grandmother grew Spirea, and called it all sorts of things; the common names go on and on. And no wonder. There are 80 species with dozens of cultivars, but really two basic types: The "Bridal Wreath" type with arching branches and fleecy white flowers (a grandmother favorite) and the shorter, stiffer types with flowers in a range of colors.

More importantly, these shrubs are some of the easiest to grow of them all, even though they're relatives of the roses. Spireas tolerate some shade, although bloom best in full sun. They can take any pruning, even a complete hacking, and they'll grow right back for you. So few plants are more useful in the garden.

Here are two little known facts about these common plants: First of all, the botanical name is correctly spelled "Spirea", but the botanical is actually spelled differently--Spiraea. Perhaps more interesting, this plant's name figured in the naming of Aspirin. Aspirin is the generic medical name for the chemical acetylsalicylic acid, a derivative of salicylic acid. Compounds of salicylic acid are found in some plants, notably white willow and meadowsweet (Spirea ulmaria, a wild Spirea). In the naming, "a" is for Acetyl- and "spirin" is from spirea--the inspiration for the name, "aspirin." The wonder plant figured in naming the wonder drug!