Sorbaria arborea - Shrub - Tree False Spirea Page

Are you looking for a visually stunning and resilient plant for your garden? Look no further than the Sorbaria arborea Tree False Spirea. Native to various regions in China including Gansu, Guizhou, Hubei, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan, this species has found its way into temperate countries around the world.

Thriving in semi-forests with cool and non-arid soils, the Sorbaria arborea is ideally suited for forest edges and riparian environments. Its versatility as an ornamental plant has made it a popular choice in France, where it is valued for its beautiful flowers and robustness, withstanding temperatures as low as -25°C.

Characterized as a deciduous shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to ten meters, the Sorbaria arborea sets itself apart from other Sorbaria species with its bushy tree-like appearance. The leaves are compound odd-pinnate, while the stipules persist. The flowering season begins in late May and lasts until September, filling your garden with elegant white flowers in pyramidal panicles. These flowers consist of five sepals, five petals, five stamens, and numerous stamens, a common characteristic of the Sorbaria family. Notably, this species stands out with its stamens being two to three times longer than the petals.

After the flowering season, the Sorbaria arborea produces follicles dehiscent fruits with a few seeds, making it easily recognizable within the plant subfamily. Its taxonomic position was established by Camillo Karl Schneider in 1905, based on a sample collected by Beloved Faithful Henry Constant in Hubei, China. A synonym, Spiraea arborea (CKSchneid.) Bean, was later proposed by William Jackson Bean in 1916, placing the species in the genus Spiraea Sorbaria.

In horticulture, several botanical varieties of the Sorbaria arborea have been recognized, including Sorbaria arborea var. Dubia (CKSchneid.) CYWu and Sorbaria arborea var. Glabrata Rehder. The latter is also known as Spiraea arborea var. Glabrata (Rehder) Bean. Additionally, Sorbaria arborea var. Subtomentosa Rehder has been identified.

The Sorbaria arborea's popularity as an ornamental plant continues to grow in France due to its remarkable flowering and ability to withstand cold temperatures. Among the horticultural varieties available in the market, Sorbaria arborea 'Glauca' stands out with its purplish foliage in spring.

If you are seeking a visually striking, resilient, and versatile plant for your garden, choose the Sorbaria arborea Tree False Spirea. Its natural beauty and robustness make it an excellent addition to any garden or landscape.