1. *Pink Meadowsweet – Spiraea splendens
(spy-REE-uh SPLEN-dens )
Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Native to: Pacific Northwest from N. CA and Sierras to WA. ID; wet, open meadows, wooded or
open, rocky slopes, stream banks in Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine
Forest from 2000 to 11,000 ft. elevation.
shrub/sub-shrub
mature height: 2-4+ ft.
mature width: 3-5 ft.
Erect to mounding low shrub or sub-shrub. Winter-deciduous. Leaves simple, ovate and medium
green. Plant spreads; may form dense thickets in favorable conditions. Bark red-brown, attractive.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in summer – June-August. Flowers medium to bright pink, small in dense
mounded clusters at the ends of branches. Very showy – looks like a garden plant. Similar to other
Spiraeas used in gardens world-wide. Flowers have light, sweet fragrance.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Often used in woodland gardens or as a butterfly plant. Makes an attractive
specimen plant or tall groundcover. Pretty in a large container or planter. Good filler around trees
and shrubs requiring moderate to regular water. Lovely addition to pink-red themed garden.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native sub-shrubs and flowering perennials.
Attracts: Excellent butterfly plant: good nectar source for range of butterflies.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun (regular water) to part-shade; afternoon shade in hot gardens.
Most local soils; wide pH range.
Regular water (Water Zones 2-3) to occasional water (Zone 2) in part-shade.
Light doses OK; will spread with more.
Organic mulch (leaf or bark) recommended.
Management:
Fairly garden tolerant.
May need to contain or remove unwanted stems.
Propagation: from seed: 1 mo. cold-moist treatment
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 13
by cuttings: easy from cutting, off-shoots
8/1/13
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