Native Plant of the Week: Meadowsweet
- Kimberly Simmen
- Jul 23, 2025
- 1 min read
Family: Roseaceae
Name: Spiraea alba
Bloom Time: July - September
Flower: White
Soil Condition: Average, moist
Light: Sun, partial sun
Height/Width: 3-4' x 3-4'
Native Range: Eastern North America including Long Island
Zone: 4-8
This native alternative to Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica) is a magnificent, fragrant plant that also tolerates a bit of drought and some shade. Meadowsweet with its fine texture makes a great informal hedge, planted en masse in a border or used along a walkway. Yellow fall color is an added bonus.
Maintenance: prune/shape in the winter, deadhead the spent blooms to prolong flowering time
Benefits: supports 82 species of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) including the spring azure butterfly, pollinators, nectar source, long bloom time, erosion control
Fun Facts: Â Great alternative to Japanese Spiraea,
Substitute: Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa)Â with a pink flower may be substituted if meadowsweet is not available or you want color.
Companion Plants: Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed), Iris versicolor (blue flag iris), Clethra alnifolia (sweet pepperbush), Helenium autumnale (sneezeweed)
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