S. orientalis flowers in the dead of winter. Sweetbox needs partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soils, preferably acid. S. hookeriana can be pushed to Zone 5 with protection. The foliage turns a dull coppery orange in autumn, then drops. Habit is a spreading mound, tightly packed with artfully arched branching.
Pink forms are also available.
The rugged and hardy Thunberg spirea tolerates almost any type of soil but prefers a well-drained acid soil. Give it part to full sun, and prune after flowering to keep it from becoming leggy and open. Zones 4 to 8. Zones 4 to 8. Give fothergilla a moist, well-drained soil.