Compare plants.

Japanese spirea and Ninebark: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese spirea Spiraea japonica	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Japan and China	E. Canada to 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 / Dry soil
Mature height
4–6 ft	5–8 ft
Mature spread
4–7 ft	4–6 ft
USDA hardiness zones
3–8	2–8
Season of interest
Spring–summer	Spring–Summer
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers attract butterflies.	Native flowers attract bees, and the shrub provides habitat for birds.
Growing notes
A deciduous shrub with many smaller cultivars. Can spread by seed beyond garden beds.	An adaptable deciduous shrub; prune just after flowering because the next display grows on old wood.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.