Willow-leaved Meadowsweet Spiraea salicifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Spiraea arguta
- Phonetic Spelling
- spy-REE-ah sal-iss-ih-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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The name Spiraea is derived from the Greek speira, meaning twisting which refers to the fruits that appear as if they are twisted. First described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, Spiraea salicifolia or Willowleaf Meadowsweet is a deciduous shrub in the rose family.
It's commonly found in wet boggy areas, stream beds, river valleys or woodlands. It can adapt to most soil conditions, however prefers to be located in full sunlight in moist and loamy soil. It is native to Asia and parts of Europe. In the US, it can be found in the lower 48 states, but it is more likely to be observed naturalized in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia and Vermont.
Spreading by suckers, it can form a dense thicket. These thickets can cause individual plants to become less hardy. Dividing on a regular basis will help keep the plants at their best. Its dense habitat is used for stabilization projects along rivers and lakes.
When in bloom, the rose-tinted white flowers produced on panicles create a dense, showy picture.
Its vitamin C rich young leaves can be cooked and eaten.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious disease or insect issues. Aphids and cicada caterpillar are occasional visitors.
Fungi may be an issue in locations with poor ventilation.
Soil containing lime can decrease the level of chlorophyll, causing the leaves to yellow.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Spiraea
- Species:
- salicifolia
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Ornamental, Soil stabilization
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe and Japan
- Distribution:
- GA, KY, MI, MS, NC, VA, VT
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers support pollinating insects. Bees are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Screening
- Edibility:
- The leaves are edible.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits dry and open on one side to release its winged seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Dense, 4 to 5" panicles bloom all summer and flowers are pollinated by insects.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The double toothed, pointed leaves have no hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Typically, does not have branches. The stems can range from yellow-brown to yellow-gray.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Humidity
- Insect Pests