Spiraea alba
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Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: meadowsweet
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Rosaceae
Zone: 3 to 7
Native Range: Eastern North America
Garden Location: Birch Mahaffey Carpenter Butterfly Pavilion, Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Spread: 3 to 4 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Wet Soil, Deer
Uses: Cut Flower, Hedge, Rain Garden

Culture

Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers full sun. Needs constant moisture, and soil must not be allowed to dry out. Remove spent flower clusters to promote additional bloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Meadowsweet is an upright, deciduous shrub which grows up to 4' tall and features alternate, narrow, toothed, green leaves and terminal, cone-shaped clusters (3-4" long) of tiny, white flowers that bloom in the summer. Fruits mature in September. Each fruit contains 5 pod-shaped follicles which dry out and split, thus allowing the seeds to disperse (somewhat like milkweed). Fruits do not have ornamental value. This species of spirea is a native of the eastern and midwestern U.S., but is currently endangered in the state of Missouri. Typically found in the wild on wet prairies, wet river bottom prairies and open ground along streams or lakes.

Problems

No serious problems. Susceptible to many of the diseases and insects which attack other members of the rose family, including leaf spots, fireblight, powdery mildew, rots, aphids, leaf roller and scale.

Garden Uses

Effective along streams or ponds, in low spots or boggy areas, or, with regular watering, in a border or cottage garden.

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Spiraea douglasii
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