White Meadowsweet
Spiraea alba
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Spiraea
- Species:
- Spiraea alba
- USDA Symbol:
- SPAL2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acleris busckana, Acleris macdunnoughi, Acronicta noctivaga, aeroplane looper moth (Diachrysia aereoides), Allen's Aphelia (Aphelia alleniana), American Swordgrass Moth (Xylena nupera), Apple Sphinx (Sphinx gordius), Apple Sphinx (Sphinx "gordius"), Archips myricana, Brown angle shades (Phlogophora periculosa), Catocaline Dart (Cryptocala acadiensis), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), Duaria metarranthis moth (Metarranthis duaria), Eupithecia anticaria, Eupithecia strattonata, Eurois astricta, Evora hemidesma, friendly probole (Probole amicaria), Goldilocks moth (Lithomoia solidaginis), Great Brocade (Eurois occulta), Harrisimemna trisignata, Lacinipolia lorea, Lined Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia lineata), Lobesia spiraeae, Lycophotia phyllophora, Nevada buckmoth (Hemileuca nevadensis-complex), New England buck moth (Hemileuca lucina), Norman's dart (Xestia normanianus), Olethreutes valdanum, Oncocnemis piffardi, Orthosia revicta, Pink-spotted Dart Moth (Pseudohermonassa bicarnea), Polia purpurissata, Protolampra rufipectus, reticulated sparganothis moth (Sparganothis reticulatana), Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), satyr pug (Eupithecia satyrata), Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), Trichordestra tacoma, wheatear sallow (Lithophane fagina), white-fringed olethreutes (Olethreutes albiciliana), Xestia oblata, Xylena curvimacula, Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Bombus Latreille, Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Tri-colored bumble (Bombus ternarius), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), Yellow-banded bumble (Bombus terricola) Moths:Blinded Sphinx (Paonias excaecata), New England buck moth (Hemileuca lucina)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire. Often increases in abundance post-fire in wetland margins.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers wetland areas like marshes and swamps
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow and keep moist.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 10C.