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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Spiraea alba Du Roi
White meadowsweet
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
USDA Symbol: SPAL2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
This mound-shaped shrub, 3-6 ft. tall and wide, bears numerous, fine-textured, erect, unbranched stems. Deciduous foliage is yellow-green, turning golden-yellow in fall. Tiny white flowers are arranged in conical, terminal spikes. A woody shrub with a dense, pyramidal, terminal cluster of small, white or pale pinkish flowers.
The brown fruit, which persists after flowering, is a distinctive feature of all Spiraea. Although less spectacular than the showy, introduced garden spiraeas, this native species is most suitable for naturalistic landscaping. Virginia Spiraea (S. virginiana), with a rounded, short, broad flower cluster and thin oblong leaves, is found from Ohio and Pennsylvania south to Georgia and Louisiana.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Brown
Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: CT , DC , DE , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: AB , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: S.w. Que. & n.w. VT to Alt., s. to NC & TN mts., IA & SD
Native Habitat: Swamps; wet meadows; shores
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Wet soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Intermediate.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Spring Azure
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSupports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Spiraea alba is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
Spring Azure (Celastrina "ladon" )  Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Not AvailableSeed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native shrub to replace non-native azaleas.
February 10, 2009
I want to replace my two dozen azaleas this spring (I think they're unattractive once the flowers fall off). I like the multiseason characteristics of weigela (midnight wine, W&R), but want to go na...
view the full question and answer
From the National Suppliers Directory
According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Spiraea alba in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Spiraea alba in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Spiraea alba
Metadata
Record Modified: 2012-12-09Research By: TWC Staff
