Alphabetical Plant Listing

Spiraea alba (White Meadowsweet)

White Meadowsweet, Narrow-leaf Meadowsweet, Eastern Meadowsweet, White Meadowsweet, Spiraea alba DuRoi


Spiraea alba (White Meadowsweet) is a woody deciduous shrub bearing erect, unbranched stems clad with narrow, sharply serrated, medium green leaves. The foliage turns golden-yellow in fall. In early summer to early fall, dense pyramidal clusters, 3-4 in. long (7-10 cm), packed with tiny white or pale pinkish flowers, appear at the tips of the branches. Blooming for about 1-2 months, the flowers produce nectar and pollen, which attract bees, bumblebees, moths, and other pollinating insects. The blossoms are followed by fruits that contain 5 pods-shaped follicles, which burst open in the fall, thus allowing the seeds to disperse. Birds feast on them during the fall and winter. White Meadowsweet is typically found in the wild in wet prairies and along the edges of streams, marshes, or bogs, White Meadowsweet is most suitable for naturalistic landscaping. It also does well in cottage gardens where it can grow in full sun yet have its feet wet or moist.

  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall and wide (90-120 cm).
  • A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in average, acidic, medium to wet soils. Tolerates part shade. Standing water can be tolerated if temporary.
  • Perfect choice for beds and borders, cottage gardens, along ponds and streams, water gardens, or bog gardens.
  • Attracts birds and butterflies but is ignored by deer.
  • No serious pest and disease problems. Keep an eye out for leaf spots, fireblight, powdery mildew, rots, aphids, leaf roller, and scale.
  • Remove spent flower clusters to promote additional bloom.
  • Winter pruning could improve its form and encourage use in more formal gardens.
  • Propagate with hardwood cuttings.
  • A native of the eastern and midwestern United States.

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 7
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Spiraea - Spirea
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 36" – 48" (90cm – 120cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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Joshua Mayer, Doug McGrady, Flickr

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 7
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Spiraea - Spirea
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 36" – 48" (90cm – 120cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Guides with Spiraea - Spirea

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