Native Plant of the Week: Meadowsweet
- Kimberly Simmen
- Jul 23
- 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: Great alternative to Japanese Spiraea,
Substitute: Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa) 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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References:
I maintain the median on Ronkonkoma Avenue on the north side of the LIE. I believe I met your father when he was stopped at a red light and complimented the median. We had a brief conversation and he mentioned KMS and I told him the median (Emily's Island) is a living tribute for our daughter who has Sanfilippo Syndrome. The median is our thank you to the community that have supported us in our fight. Would love to collaborate and pick your brain on what flowers you would recommend (perrenials) and purchase them if you have them for next year. The center of the median needs "something". Full sun. Thanks, Kevin (kgocjr@gmail.com) or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Emilysdance