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Photo:
Pat Kolling
Rose Meadowsweet
Subalpine Spiraea
Mountain Spiraea
Latin Name:
Spiraea splendens
Low deciduous shrub with shiny, bright green leaves; reddish-purple bark; and flat-topped clusters of tiny, dark-pink to purple flowers
Taxon ID#
92
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance Level:
Medium
Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Sun Preference:
Shade
Water Preference:
L
Soil Preference:
Tolerates a variety of soils but prefers rocky soil with fast drainage
Fertilizer Needs:
Recommended Mulch:
Family:
Rosaceae
Origins:
Plant Type:
Small Shrub (usually < 1.5' and not >3')
Mountains from British Columbia to nw. and Sierran California, east to Montana.
Oregon native:
yes
Western state native:
yes
PLANT DESCRIPTION
Foliage Color:
Green
Foliage Description:
Alternate, simple, ovoid, 1.5 cm long, margin toothed near tip and sides but not at the base, leaf surface thin, light green, with or without hairs, turn yellow in fall
Fragrant:
yes
Predominant flower color:
Pink
Flower Description:
Fuzzy pom-poms of bright rosy pink, in flat-topped, terminal clusters
Fall color:
yes
Fall Color Description:
Yellow foliage
Winter Foliage:
Deciduous
Winter Interest:
no
Winter Interest Description:
Mature height:
1.5-3'
Mature spread:
1.5-3'
Growth rate:
LANDSCAPE APPLICATION
Deer Resistant:
yes
Fire Resistant:
yes
Attracts Pollinators:
yes
Attracts Butterflies:
yes
Native Habitat:
Wet, open meadows; wooded or open, rocky slopes; stream banks; 2000-11,000 ft elevation
Attracts Birds:
no
Cut/Dried Flowers:
no

Photo:
Shawna Larson
Used by Wildlife:
no
Hedge/Screen:
yes
Swales:
yes
Wildlife Use:
Border:
yes
Erosion Control:
no
Windbreak:
no
Cover Structures:
no
Ground Cover:
yes
Provides Shade:
yes
Rock Garden:
yes
Adds Texture/Movement:
no
First Bloom:
Jun
Last Bloom:
Jul
Ornamental Accent:
no
Garden Observations:
SEASONAL CARE
Spring Care:
Flowers mostly in sprays along one-year-old or two-year-old branches. Cut off spent flowering branches immediately after flowering. This will help to produce the maximum amount of vigorous flowering wood.
Summer Care:
Prune diseased, dead, damaged; deadhead
Fall Care:
Winter Care:
Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed
Long Term Care:
Insect Pests:
Aphid, Snapdragon Plume Moth, Spider Mite
Wildlife Pests:
Diseases:
Spiraea powdery mildew
Environmental Problems:
Landscape Problems:
Care Comments:
RESOURCES
OSU Landscape Profile:
USDA Plants:
Calscape Database:
LBJ Native Plant Database:
Missouri Botanical Garden Database:
Monrovia Profile:
Alternate Source 1:
Alternate Source 2:
Source Comment:

George & Vickie Minor
Whistle Stop Farm & Flowers
Empire Stone
Instant Landscape
McPheeter's Turf
High Desert Farms Nursery Sales
Thank you!
Join an OSU Master Gardener managed community garden this summer!
Put your name in the lottery to get a plot at either Hollinshead's or Discovery Park's community garden.
More information for: Discovery Park Garden


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