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Japanese spirea and Bog laurel: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese spirea Spiraea japonica	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Bog laurel Kalmia polifolia
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Japan and China	Subarctic America to N. Central & NE. U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Part sun & shade
Soil moisture
Average moisture; well-drained soil	Moist to wet / Average moisture
Mature height
4–6 ft	1–3 ft
Mature spread
4–7 ft	1–3 ft
USDA hardiness zones
3–8	1–5
Season of interest
Spring–summer	Spring
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers attract butterflies.	Native spring flowers provide pollen for bees in cool, acidic wetlands.
Growing notes
A deciduous shrub with many smaller cultivars. Can spread by seed beyond garden beds.	Needs a cool, acidic, moisture-retentive site; foliage is poisonous if eaten.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.