SPIRAEA LATIFOLIA / STEEPLEBUSH

SPIRAEA LATIFOLIA / BROAD-LEAVED MEADOW-SWEET

A Native Shrub with Showy White Flowers and Wetland Adaptability

Spiraea latifolia, commonly known as Broad-leaved Meadow-Sweet, is a native deciduous shrub admired for its clusters of fragrant white flowers, broad green foliage, and tolerance of moist soils. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with wet to well-drained soils, Broad-leaved Meadow-Sweet is ideal for naturalized landscapes, pollinator gardens, and wetland plantings. Its ornamental flowers and ecological value make it a versatile and attractive native shrub.

Why Choose Broad-leaved Meadow-Sweet?

Showy White Flowers: Produces large clusters of fragrant blooms from mid to late summer.
Pollinator Friendly: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Wet-Site Tolerant: Thrives in moist soils, including pond edges, wetlands, and low-lying areas.
Low Maintenance & Hardy: Adaptable, resilient, and long-lived in native landscapes.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Medium to dark green broad leaves; yellow to red in fall.
Flower Color: White flower clusters in mid to late summer.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 3–6 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–7.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Moist to wet soils; tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soils.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 3–6 feet tall, 3–5 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–7.
Flowering: Mid to late summer.
Fall Interest: Leaves turn yellow to red.

Ideal Uses:

Pollinator Gardens: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Wetland & Riparian Plantings: Excellent for pond edges, wetlands, and moist meadows.
Naturalized Landscapes: Works well along woodland edges, meadows, and native gardens.
Mixed Borders & Beds: Adds summer blooms, texture, and fragrance to perennial plantings.

Broad-leaved Meadow-Sweet is an ecologically valuable native shrub. Its fragrant white flowers, wetland adaptability, and pollinator benefits make it an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes, wildlife-friendly gardens, and pollinator plantings.