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Japanese spirea and California buckwheat: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese spirea Spiraea japonica	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE California buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Japan and China	W. California to Mexico (Baja California).See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; well-drained soil	Dry soil
Mature height
4–6 ft	Low shrub; size varies by form
Mature spread
4–7 ft	Branches spread to about 3 ft
USDA hardiness zones
3–8	Cold hardy to USDA zone 7; upper zone not specified.
Season of interest
Spring–summer	Late spring–early fall
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers attract butterflies.	Native flowers feed butterflies, and seeds feed birds.
Growing notes
A deciduous shrub with many smaller cultivars. Can spread by seed beyond garden beds.	Select a local form and provide loose, well-drained soil; avoid frequent summer irrigation.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.