General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Remove faded flower clusters as practicable (light shearing is an option) to encourage additional bloom. Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Tor is a birchleaf spirea cultivar that typically grows 2-3 tall in a dense, compact, rounded mound. Tiny white flowers in small flattened clusters (corymbs) cover the foliage in late spring. Birch-like, dark green leaves (to 1.5 long) are oval and sharpely toothed. Foliage turns quality shades of orange, red and purple in autumn. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Specific epithet translates as birch leaf (Betula being the birch genus and folia meaning leaf), in obvious reference to the leaf shape. Cultivar name presumably comes from the Gaelic word torr meaning hill or mound, in reference to the plant habit.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to many of the diseases and insects that attact other rose family members, including leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew, root rot, aphids, leaf roller and scale.
Uses:
Specimen or group for rock gardens. Mass or group in shrub borders. Low hedge for paths and walkways. Incorporates well into foundation plantings.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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