This deciduous shrub has slender arching red-brown canes that form a rounded crown. It has mid-green lance-shaped leaves and the white saucer-shaped flowers appear in long pendulous sprays during spring.

Hardiness zones 5 to 11

Spiraea cantoniensis is naturally found from in China growing in woodlands and thickets on hillsides at an altitude from 240 m (787 ft) to 350 m (1,148 ft) and has naturalised in Japan.

It prefers a evenly moist but well drained organic rich sandy to clay soil with a pH range from 5.6 to 7.5 and grows in an open sunny position and is drought and frost tolerant.

May Bush is grown for its masses of arching flowers and its rounded habit. It is planted along borders for screening or as a low informal hedge. It is also used as a specimen against buildings or as a spill-over above retaining walls. It is suitable for coastal or low-mountain regions and establishes in 2 to 3 years. It is commonly planted in commercial sites requiring little care once established. ID 48

Spiraea (spee-RIE-a) cantoniensis(kan-tow-NEE-en-sis)

'Spiraea`: a wreath; 'cantoniensis`: of Canton; 'lanceata`: like a lance (refers to the leaves).