Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor Gold'

About this cultivar:

Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor Gold' was found in The Netherlands in 2008 as a sport of Spirea betulifolia ‘Tor’, a shrub which is valued for its hardiness in very low temperatures.

Both 'Tor' and 'Tor Gold' have white flowers in summer.‘ Tor Gold’ is a small shrub with rounded, birch-like, toothed leaves that emerge bright yellow (instead of green like 'Tor'), mature to chartreuse, and turn red, orange, and purple in autumn. Great autumn colour!

The species, Spiraea betulifolia, is commonly called birchleaf spirea. The species name comes from the birch genus (Betula) and leaf (folia) in obvious reference to the leaf shape. It is native to Japan and eastern Asia. It is a dwarf shrub that typically matures as a dense rounded mound of foliage. White flowers in clusters (corymbs) cover the foliage in mid-summer. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. 

• Position: Full sun, partial shade (better in full sun)
• Soil: Almost any soil - Grows well in Ballyrobert
• Flowers: June, July, August, September
  
• Other features: Bees, Butterflies, and Bugs
• Hardiness: Fully Hardy, Grows well in Ballyrobert, H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20°C)
• Habit: Bushy
• Foliage: Deciduous
• Height: 60 to 90 cm  (2 - 3 ft)
• Spread: 60 to 90 cm  (2 - 3 ft)
• Time to full growth: 5 to 10 years
• Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial, Shrub
• Colour: White, yellow, green
• Goes well with: Wall, Fence, hedge

About this genus:

Spiraea is a genus of about 80 to 100 species of shrubs in the Rose family (Rosaceae). They are native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with the greatest diversity in eastern Asia. The genus formerly included the herbaceous species now segregated into the genera Filipendula and Aruncus; recent genetic evidence has shown that Filipendula is only distantly related to Spiraea, belonging in the subfamily Rosoideae. The genus name comes from the Greek word speira meaning wreath in reference to the showy flower clusters seen on most plants in the genus.

Spiraea plants are hardy, deciduous-leaved shrubs. The leaves are simple and usually short stalked, and are arranged in a spiralling, alternate fashion. The many small flowers of Spiraea shrubs are clustered together in inflorescences, usually in dense panicles, umbrella-like corymbs, or grape-like clusters. These showy clusters of dense flowers make them great for gardens! Some species bloom in the spring, others in midsummer, so do check.

In the garden they will grow anywhere that isn’t too extreme so are always worth a try. Usually grown as stand alones shrubs, some people also grow then as, and into, hedges.

Interestingly, acetylsalicylic acid was first isolated from Filipendula ulmaria, a species at the time classified in the genus Spiraea. The word "aspirin" was coined by adding a- (for acetylation) to spirin, from the German Spirsäure, a reference to Spiraea.

Native American groups seemed to know this – many had various medicinal uses for local Spiraea species. S. betulifolia was used for abdominal pain and made into a tea. The Blackfoot used S. splendens root in an enema and to treat venereal conditions. Many Native Americans found S. douglasii useful for making brooms and hanging seafood to cook as well! Hopefully the beautiful look of these plants is enough to keep you happy and pain-free!