Billiard Spiraea (spiraea x billiardii)

• Upright, vigorous deciduous shrub (typically 2–2.5 m high × 2 m spread) with dense bright-green willow-like foliage and long, conical fluffy bright-pink flower panicles in mid- to late summer (July–August/September).
• Excellent low-maintenance choice for wildlife gardens, informal hedges/screens, cottage borders or mixed beds; highly attractive to bees and other pollinators.
• Fully hardy in the UK, tough, suckering/thicket-forming and adaptable once established. 

Planting tips

• Best time: November–early April. Avoid frozen, waterlogged ground. 
• Position: Full sun to partial shade (best flowering in sun); tolerates exposed or sheltered sites.
• Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained; tolerates a wide range (loamy, sandy, clayey, acid to alkaline). Prefers ordinary garden soil and dislikes prolonged waterlogging; some sources note it is less keen on very chalky conditions. Improve with compost if needed.
• How to plant: Dig a hole 2–3× the root; plant at the same depth as in the nursery (root collar level); backfill, firm gently, water thoroughly and mulch. Space 0.8–1.5 m apart for informal hedges or groups (allow room for its spreading habit). 
• Aftercare: Water regularly in the first year until established. Once settled it is low-maintenance; prune hard in late winter/early spring (or after flowering) to encourage strong new growth and maintain shape. Mulch in spring.

Ideal for reliable summer colour with minimal fuss across most UK gardens.

Photo credit: Konrad Lackerbeck, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)