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Japanese spirea and White meadowsweet: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese spirea Spiraea japonica	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE White meadowsweet Spiraea alba
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Japan and China	W. Central & E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; well-drained soil	Moist to wet / Average moisture
Mature height
4–6 ft	3–4 ft
Mature spread
4–7 ft	3–4 ft
USDA hardiness zones
3–8	3–7
Season of interest
Spring–summer	Summer
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers attract butterflies.	Native flowers feed pollinators, and foliage hosts spring azure caterpillars.
Growing notes
A deciduous shrub with many smaller cultivars. Can spread by seed beyond garden beds.	Keep soil moist; this deciduous shrub performs poorly in hot, dry conditions.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.