Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) is a native deciduous shrub that brings elegant summer charm to any garden. Growing 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, this hardy species produces delicate, cone-shaped clusters of tiny white flowers from June through August, creating an airy, romantic effect in the landscape. Hardy in zones 3 through 7, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and handles wet soil and deer pressure with ease, making it a resilient choice for challenging garden spots.
Partial Sun
Moderate
3-7
48in H x 48in W
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Moderate
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The narrow, toothed foliage and terminal flower clusters that bloom consistently over three months set meadowsweet apart as a steady performer in rain gardens and hedgerows. Butterflies are drawn to its modest white blooms, and the flowers hold up beautifully when cut for arrangements. Best of all, this shrub asks for very little attention once established; it tolerates wet soil that would rot many ornamentals and completely ignores deer browsing.
Meadowsweet excels in rain gardens and bioswales where its tolerance for wet soil prevents root rot while supporting water filtration. It works equally well as an informal hedge or mass planting, where its summer flowers create continuity of bloom. The long-lasting flower clusters are valued by florists and home arrangers for their delicate texture in fresh and dried arrangements.
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Deadhead spent flower clusters regularly during the bloom season to promote continuous flowering. Beyond this, meadowsweet requires minimal pruning as an upright, deciduous shrub. Remove any dead or damaged wood in early spring.
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“Spiraea alba is native to the eastern United States, where it has grown naturally in wetlands and along stream banks for centuries. As gardeners and botanists recognized its hardiness and ecological value, the species transitioned from wild plant to cultivated landscape shrub, appreciated for both its ornamental qualities and its role in supporting native pollinator populations.”