Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Remove faded flower clusters as practicable (light shearing is an option) to encourage additional bloom. Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Spiraea is a genus of about 80 species of deciduous and semi-evergreen shrubs from North Temperate areas of Europe, Asia and North America including Mexico.
Genus name comes from the Greek word speira meaning wreath in reference to the showy flower clusters seen on most shrubs in the genus.
'Dolchica' is also known as Spiraea x bumalda 'Dolchica'. It has elongated crinkled leaves with frilly, deeply cut serrations. The foliage emerges bronze to purple-red, matures to green and turns bronze to red in fall. The small purplish pink, 5-petaled flowers are borne in flat-topped clusters that are 4 to 6 in. in diameter. 'Dolchica' forms dwarf mounds that are 2 to 3 ft. tall and 2 to 4 ft. wide.
Problems
Susceptible to many of the diseases and insects that attack other rose family members, including leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew, root rot, aphids, leaf roller and scale. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Mass or specimen plantings for borders, cottage gardens or as an informal hedge. Incorporates well into foundation plantings.