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Japanese spirea and Goat's beard: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese spirea Spiraea japonica	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Goat's beard Aruncus dioicus
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Japan and China	Europe to Caucasus, E. Siberia to Russian Far East, Himalaya to N. Myanmar, N. Central & E. U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Part sun & shade
Soil moisture
Average moisture; well-drained soil	Average moisture
Mature height
4–6 ft	3–6 ft
Mature spread
4–7 ft	2–4 ft
USDA hardiness zones
3–8	3–7
Season of interest
Spring–summer	Spring–Summer
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers attract butterflies.	Native flower plumes attract pollinators, and the foliage feeds dusky azure caterpillars.
Growing notes
A deciduous shrub with many smaller cultivars. Can spread by seed beyond garden beds.	A tall perennial for rich, consistently moist soil; protect it from hot afternoon sun.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.