{"product_id":"pink-ice-variegated-may-bush-spiraea-x-vanhouttei-pink-ice","title":"Pink Ice Variegated May Bush - Spiraea x vanhouttei 'Pink Ice'","description":"\u003cp\u003ePink Ice Variegated May Bush (\u003cem\u003eSpiraea x vanhouttei\u003c\/em\u003e 'Pink Ice') is an arching, semi evergreen shrub that grows 1m to 2.5m tall and 2m to 3m wide. New leaves open cream, freckled with soft pink, then settle to dappled green and cream, with blush tones returning in autumn. Clusters of cream flowers cover the branches in spring, which makes it a cottage garden shrub with interest in three seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariegated foliage all season.\u003c\/strong\u003e The small soft leaves shift from cream to green to blush pink, so the plant never reads as plain green shrubbery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring flower clusters.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cream flowers open in September and October in the southern hemisphere, and butterflies visit them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCascading habit.\u003c\/strong\u003e The arching branches spill over retaining walls and down banks, softening hard edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It copes with cold winters and suits the cooler half of the country.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy to shape.\u003c\/strong\u003e A trim after flowering keeps it compact, and it fills a fence line without the bulk of a large hedge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFence lines and informal screens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.5m apart along a fence. The arching branches interlock into a soft, flowering screen that stays below 2.5m.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRetaining walls and banks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Planted at the top of a wall, the branches cascade down the face in a loose curtain of cream and green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a single plant as a cottage garden centrepiece, with perennials or roses at its feet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Pink Ice Variegated May Bush in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the best flowers and foliage colour. It suits cool temperate and warm temperate gardens, and it is frost hardy. Where summers are extremely hot, choose a spot with some protection from the hot afternoon sun. It prefers a cooler climate than the tropics and humid subtropics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained soil is the requirement. Mulch over the roots to keep them cool and moist through summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water well, and keep watering frequently until the plant is established, around 12 weeks. After that, water regularly through dry spells. Feed with a controlled release fertiliser after flowering to keep growth compact and flowering heavy next season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Trim straight after flowering, shaping the arching branches. Because it flowers on the previous year's growth, pruning later in the season removes next spring's flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Pink Ice Variegated May Bush as tube stock and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the economical choice for a long fence line. The 140mm pots give a planting more presence in its first year. Expect a small, leafy plant that fills out over its first two seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/deciduous-shrubs\"\u003eBrowse deciduous shrubs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eHedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eMore frost hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/creating-a-beautiful-cottage-garden-in-australia-insiders-guide\"\u003eHow to create a cottage garden in Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it evergreen?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSemi evergreen. In mild winters it keeps much of its foliage, and in colder districts it sheds more of it before the new growth arrives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetween 1m and 2.5m tall and 2m to 3m wide, so give it room. It suits fence lines and open beds better than narrow strips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I prune it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStraight after flowering in late spring. It flowers on last year's wood, so a late prune cuts off the following spring's flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789641711935,"sku":"SPI-VAN-PINKIC-tube","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67789641744703,"sku":"SPI-VAN-PINKIC-140MM-P10","price":188.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/pink-ice-variegated-may-bush-spiraea-x-vanhouttei-pink-ice.jpg?v=1792192585","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/pink-ice-variegated-may-bush-spiraea-x-vanhouttei-pink-ice","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}