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Native Plant Alternatives to Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spirea)

Native Plants, Invasive Plants, Spiraea japonica, Japanese Spirea

Spiraea japonica, commonly known as Japanese spirea, is native to Japan and China. It has been introduced widely in North America and Europe because of its ornamental value in landscaping, appreciated for its colorful foliage and clusters of pink flowers.

However, Japanese spirea’s adaptability, rapid growth, and prolific seed production allow it to invade a variety of habitats, including forests, open woodlands, meadows, and along roadsides. It can form dense thickets that crowd out native vegetation, disrupt local ecosystems, and reduce biodiversity.

Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spirea) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Plant Type Shrubs
Genus Spiraea
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Native Plants United States

U.S. Native Plant Alternatives to Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spirea)

Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey Tea)
Diervilla lonicera (Northern Bush Honeysuckle)
Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla)
Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)
Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)
Physocarpus opulifolius (Common Ninebark)
Rhododendron atlanticum (Coastal Azalea)
Rhododendron periclymenoides (Pinxterbloom Azalea)
Spiraea alba (White Meadowsweet)
Spiraea betulifolia (Birchleaf Spirea)
Spiraea splendens (Rose Meadowsweet)

 

 

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Plant Type Shrubs
Genus Spiraea
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Native Plants United States
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Guides with
Spiraea (Spirea)
Guides with
United States

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