Growing Meadowsweet Shrub (Types of Spirea) Guide: ID, Planting, Care Tips

Best Growing Conditions for Spirea (Meadowsweet Herb)

The best-growing conditions for spirea plants are in well-draining soil and full sun conditions. Aside from these conditions, the meadowsweet herb is generally tolerant, low-maintenance, and easy to grow and care for.¹⁰

Spirea Growing Zone

Spirea plants are native to most temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere and found in the wild on all continents above the equator. Native growing zones for spirea (where to grow meadowsweet) range from zones 4 to 8 (See USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Maps).²⁸

However, some sources on spirea growing zones suggest that it can be grown successfully in planting zones 3 through 10.^6,11

Spirea Growth Rate

Many homeowners and gardeners wonder about how long it takes to grow spirea, as these small to medium-sized shrubs may be highly desirable in many landscapes. The good news about spirea growth rates is that most species in the genus, Spiraea, are very fast growers.

In fact, many species grow more than 12 inches in each growing season.⁶

Growing a Spirea From a Seed, Cutting, or Seedling

There are several questions gardeners may have when growing spirea for the first time, such as when to plant spirea for the best yield and how far apart to plant spirea. In general, Spiraea does best when planted in the fall, a month and a half before the projected first frost date for that region.

Smaller spirea plants can be placed as close as 2 feet apart, but the larger varieties may need up to 15 feet to spread. However, larger shrubs can be planted closer together to create dense hedges.^1,6

There are different methods for growing a spirea from a seed, cutting, or seedling. Propagating from seed is generally not recommended, since it takes much more time to start a plant from seed and there is no way to guarantee it retains the favorable traits of the parent plant.

Propagating from cuttings is a fairly popular method for individuals who have spirea already, and new growth can typically be removed and rooted with relative ease. Transplanting young spirea shrubs is probably the most convenient method, and the plant should be placed in a hole with twice the diameter of its root ball.¹

Once established, the watering needs for spirea plants are quite minimal. Occasional thorough waterings are more beneficial than frequent light dousings.

Other planting tips for spirea include mulching and watering after planting. Water frequently until the plant is adjusted and mulch once per year around the base of the plant.¹

When To Prune Spirea and How To Prune Spirea (Plus When To Cut Back Spirea for Winter)

Spirea shrubs are fast growers, and to look their best, they require regular pruning once or twice a year. Knowing when to prune spirea and how to prune spirea will ensure the shrubs remain an attractive part of any landscape.

Spirea can be easily pruned using pruning shears, loppers, or pruning saws (for heavier pruning). Spirea plants respond very well to pruning and can be cut back to the ground and survive.

The best time to prune spirea is after the flowers have stopped blooming. Pinching off dead blossoms to the top leaf bud can sometimes bring on a second wave of fresh flowers.

In deciding when to cut back spirea for winter, consider when the growing season usually ends in your area, as more serious pruning should occur outside this period, such as in mid to late fall. Another great time to prune spirea is in the late winter and early spring.

By pruning out old wood and shaping the shrub before the new growing season begins, gardeners can ensure an attractive form for their plants.⁵

Companion Plants For Growing Spirea

Spirea will grow well near almost anything, but some of the most popular companion plants for growing spirea include other flowering shrubs, such as hydrangeas and viburnums.²² Some larger species of spirea can be planted alongside privacy trees and other landscaping trees to create natural hedges and boundaries.

Lower-lying spirea can be used to create borders and walkways through a garden. Since many types of bees and butterflies are attracted to meadowsweet and other spirea plants, they will aid in tree pollination for the different types of trees in close proximity.

Types of Spirea (The Spiraea Genus)

The Spiraea genus includes some 100 species of woody shrubs in the Rosaceae family.²⁶ Spirea shrubs are temperate plants, native to the Northern Hemisphere.

Spirea bushes are attractive to many types of butterflies and types of moths, and they are an excellent food source for the larvae of these insects.¹⁶

(Korean Spirea Image: Cliff³² and Threelobe Spirea Image: Yana Nadolinska³⁴)

Other spirea facts include:^{8, 20, 23}

• Spiraea vary widely in size, with some species reaching maximum sizes of 3 feet tall and wide while others grow to 8 feet in height and spread to 10 feet in diameter. Cultivars are often smaller.
• Spireas are tolerant, hardy plants that are easy to grow and versatile in a landscape.
• The genus name, Spiraea, is derived from either the Greek word for “twisted” or the Greek word for “wreath,” depending on the source. The spirea symbolism encompasses the ideals of wealth and prosperity.

There are many types of spirea, including:¹⁶

• Breath of Spring Spirea (Spiraea thunbergii)
• Korean Spirea (Spiraea fritschiana)
• Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa)
• Threelobe Spiraea (Spiraea trilobata)
• Willowleaf Meadowsweet (Spiraea salicifolia)

The following sections provide additional information on the better-known species of the Spiraea genus.

Sometimes distinguished from the distantly related European meadowsweet as ‘White meadowsweet’, this native shrub boasts showy clusters of tiny white flowers which have a long blooming season that lasts from late summer into fall.

The types of white flowers found on the native meadowsweet are tinged with bright pink and are star-shaped and spiky in appearance due to their long, fuzzy stamens.^17,18

The leaves, which are dark green at maturity, boast many shades from pink to yellow when young. Gold Mound spirea has a suckering habit and can become weedy.¹²

Both species, native to China and East Asia, bear showy clusters of small white flowers in the spring which grow in a long cascading fashion, perfect for fashioning bridal wreaths. These two species can be differentiated in a few ways.

Spiraea cantoniensis is a bit smaller at its maximum size and is semi-evergreen. Its single flowers are sometimes tinged with pink, which is not seen in the double white flowers of Spiraea prunifolia.^15,19

What Is Candy Corn Spirea?

Candy Corn spirea is a cultivar developed in the United States from Spiraea japonica. Its common name is Double Play Candy Corn.¹³

It has a smaller, mounding form than its parent plant reaching a maximum height of 2 feet. The name of this cultivar is derived from its highly attractive foliage; new leaves begin a rich red and turn bright orange and yellow as they mature, creating the candy corn look!¹³

Other Meadowsweet Plants

Several species of a distantly related genus, Filipendula, also share the common name ‘meadowsweet.”²⁷ These species were formerly included in the genus, Spiraea, until scientists discovered their inherent genetic differences.¹⁶

The primary examples include:⁴

• European meadowsweet, Mead-wort, Queen of the Meadow (Filipendula ulmaria)
• Korean meadowsweet (Filipendula glaberrima)
• Japanese meadowsweet (Filipendula purpurea)

These meadowsweet plants are similar to ‘true meadowsweet’ in some senses, primarily their densely clustered flowers and erect growing pattern. However, true spirea plants are woody shrubs while Filipendula species are perennial, herbaceous plants.

How To Identify Spirea

It is important to know how to identify spirea for various reasons. Firstly, some species, such as Spiraea japonica, can become invasive in non-native areas.

Secondly, depending on the species of spirea, it may be best suited for growing in hedges or borders versus out in the open. Spiraea species typically grow in one of two forms; upright with arching branches and cascading flowers or low and sprawling with panicles of flowers on the ends of vertical branches.

(Seed Image: AnRo0002³³)

The former tends to bloom in late spring while the latter often blooms in late summer.⁷

Spirea Leaves

Spirea leaves are nearly always oval-shaped, tapering to a point and growing to between 2 and 4 inches in length. They are usually serrated, with fine teeth along the margins of the leaf.

Leaves are on short petioles, and they alternate along the stems. While most spirea species will have leaves in shades of green, some will boast leaves of red, yellow, and orange, particularly with new leaves.⁷

Spirea Flowers

Spirea flowers are well-loved because they are beautiful and long-lasting. The individual flowers are tiny, usually around ¼ inch in diameter, but they grow in dense corymbs or panicles to create an eye-catching inflorescence.

Spirea species bloom from late spring to early autumn, and most species have single flowers with 4 to 5 petals. Individual flowers are often white or pink but may be found in yellows, reds, and purples.³

Spirea Seeds

The fruits of spirea plants are small follicles that ripen in summer and dry out until they break apart in the fall, releasing the small spirea seeds. The individual seeds are tiny (less than 2 mm), flat, and elongated.²⁵

How To Stop Spirea Disease

While Spiraea species are attractive to many beneficial insects, they are also attractive to various types of pests. The most common pests of the spirea include aphids, spider mites, weevils, and leafhoppers.²⁴

Natural pest control for spirea includes insecticidal soap sprays, pruning, and introducing biological controls (natural enemies such as ladybugs).² Understanding common Spiraea diseases is key to spirea disease prevention.

Root rot is a troublesome disease for shrubs like spirea, and waterlogged soils should be avoided when planting. Other types of diseases, such as fungal leaf spot (Phyllosticta and Cylindrocladium) can be avoided by using drip irrigation watering rather than spraying.⁸

The best advice for how to stop spirea disease is to prune diseased areas removing all infected plant debris.¹⁴ Meadowsweet is an attractive shrub that is beloved by butterflies and other pollinators.

It makes a great addition to any landscape and has the added benefit of being easy to grow.

Understanding the types of spirea available and knowing how to grow meadowsweet today can transform your outdoor landscaping.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spirea