Vanhoutte or bridalwreath spirea has a vase-shaped habit with long, arching branches. White flowers completely cover the branches in early May and may last for two or three weeks.It is one of the easiest plants to grow; it seems to thrive on neglect. This shrub is an old-fashioned favorite and continues to be one of the most widely grown spireas today.

The genus Spiraea consists of small to medium sized flowering shrubs with a fine-textured twiggy mounding habit. The small simple leaves are generally lance-shaped and held close to the branch. Spring to early summer abundant blooms tend to be in white or pink tones, depending on the species and/or cultivar. While individual flowers are quite small, they occur in clusters of inflorescence that can be very showy.

Spireas are best used in groupings in a shrub or mixed border, where they are valued as tough, reliable and easy-care performers in northern climates. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes nearly 100 varieties and 3,000 plants.