Spiraea alba (Fr: spirée blanche | En: white meadowsweet)

Broad-leaved Meadowsweet

Spiraea alba var. latifolia
Alternative names: White Meadowsweet
French: Spirée blanche à larges feuilles

Spiraea alba is one of only two native spiraeas in our region. It occurs in two varieties: a narrow-leaved western form and a broad-leaved eastern form. The plant offered here is the broad-leaved variety (var. latifolia).  Both are native to our region and particularly  well suited to gardens.

This adaptable shrub can be found growing in wetlands, open meadows, and even dry sand dunes. Its tolerance of a wide range of soil types and moisture levels makes it a fantastic choice for naturalized gardens and tall meadow plantings.

Broad-leaved Meadowsweet produces elegant, creamy-white flower clusters from July to August, providing crucial nectar during a seasonal lull between spring and fall blooms. It attracts a wide range of pollinators and produces seeds loved by songbirds and game birds alike.

Height: 1 to 1.5 m
Bloom time: July to August
Light: Full sun
Moisture: Moist to dry
Soil: Rich organic to sandy soils
Habitat: Meadows, wetlands, sand dunes
Ecological benefits: Supports mid-summer pollinators; seeds feed birds
Edible: Not edible