Spiraea x pseudosalicifolia 'Triumphans'

Softy, furry pyramidal panicles, rose-pink in color, are 4-8" long. Bottlebrush-like, dense and fuzzy and almost iridescent when the sun hits them. From afar, you might mistake it for a Buddleia with more narrow blooms. A hybrid between S. douglassi, a western North American species and S. salicifolia, a Eurasian species -- it's a wonderful union. Pruning is important for best results: The oldest and less productive stems should be cut back to their base each year after flowering. Needs ACID soil. In fairness, we will mention that it does need to be deadheaded to maintain perfection (blooms don't drop on their own) and it does colonize. If you're a person who likes to 'fuss' with plants, deadheading and such, and have some room or a space you need to cover, this is a great plant. It is also capable of living in a large pot due to its extreme hardiness if you have a small garden and don't want a colonizing plant.