White Spirea
Spiraea betulifolia
- Native to:
- Japan, Korea, Kuril Is., Russia, United States
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Spiraea
- Species:
- Spiraea betulifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- SPBE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- 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
Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- orange, red, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire. Common in post-fire succession.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow and keep moist.
Pre-treatment: For seeds: 60 day cold, moist stratification at 3°C. Seeds are remoistened as needed. For cuttings: Summer softwood stem tip cuttings are re-cut, terminal buds removed, dipped in Domain fungicide bath for 2 minutes, treated with 2000 ppm liquid IBA rooting hormone, and struck in the mist bed with bottom heat.
Establishment: Seeds are collected when follicles begin to split open in mid to late September. Cuttings are collected from healthy field plants in early to mid June. The plant is found from B.C. to northeastern Oregon, east to Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming, and east across Canada to Saskatchewan. It is also found in Asia.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 10C.