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Spiraea latifolia

white meadowsweet

Small, upright, thicket-forming shrub about 1-1.5m tall, with reddish stems, coarsely toothed mid-green leaves to 7cm long, and white or pink flowers in terminal panicles, in late summer

Synonyms
Spiraea latifolia
Spiraea salicifolia var. latifolia
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Pink Green
Autumn Green Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering
Genus

Spiraea are deciduous shrubs, sometimes suckering, with simple leaves and short racemes, panicles or corymbs of small, 5-petalled white or pink flowers in spring or summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Eastern N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in spring to late summer or hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 6 for spiraea flowering on current years stems, deadhead after flowering. Keep neat and compact by cutting all stems back to within 30cm of ground level

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to honey fungus

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