White Spirea
Spiraea betulifolia
- Native to:
- Japan, Korea, Kuril Is., Russia, United States
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com) from Bozeman, Montana, USA
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
Reported Fauna Sightings
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.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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.