Dwarf Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Nana’)

Dwarf Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Nana’) is a shrub that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Dwarf Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Nana’).
This plant is commonly known as dwarf Japanese spirea.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: dwarf Japanese spirea
Scientific name: Spiraea japonica ‘Nana’
Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators, RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spring | ||||
Summer | ||||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |

How to plant Dwarf Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Nana’) – Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shrubs are fundamental elements in any garden.
They add color and interest throughout the seasons with their wide variety of flowers, foliage, fruits, trunks and stems.
Whatever the size or style of your garden, the permanent woody structure or the foliage of evergreen shrubs will give the space shape and dimension.
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Dwarf Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Nana’), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Dwarf Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Nana’) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Spiraea japonica ‘Nana’ likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Dwarf Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Nana’) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Dwarf Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Nana’) – Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons