Spiraea thunbergii

Spiraea thunbergii is also called muscle shrub in Dutch. It is an early-flowering, medium-sized, deciduous shrub with a bushy, spreading form. The leaves are lanceolate, finely serrated and light green in color. From April to May, this muscular shrub is the first of its kind to bloom profusely with small, white flowers in small umbels on slightly drooping annual wood. This spiraea likes a sunny to slightly shaded position in a well-drained, cool and moist soil. This plant is hardy, tolerates sea wind and air pollution reasonably well and is pest and disease free.