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Japanese spirea and Smooth hydrangea: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese spirea Spiraea japonica	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Smooth hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Japan and China	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	3–5 ft
Mature spread
4–7 ft	3–5 ft
USDA hardiness zones
3–8	3–9
Season of interest
Spring–summer	Spring–Summer
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers attract butterflies.	Fertile native flowers feed pollinators, and the foliage hosts hydrangea sphinx moth caterpillars.
Growing notes
A deciduous shrub with many smaller cultivars. Can spread by seed beyond garden beds.	Choose a form with plentiful fertile flowers; give moist, drained soil and protection from hot afternoon sun.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.