Toxic Plant Pas connu comme étant toxique - Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Spiraea alba
Source: Donna Bos
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Plant Names

image of Arbuste
Spiraea alba
White Meadowsweet
Spirée blanche

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Blanc Bloom Period: Jun - Aug
Hauteur max: 4,0 feet
Max Width: 3,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant germinate easy Facile à germer
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

White Meadowsweet is not picky about its conditions. The shrub has white fuzzy spires of flowers that will be buzzing with pollinators in mid to late summer. Its stems are somewhat reddish in colour. It occurs from dry sandy wooded areas to swamps and lakeshores. It might not be suitable for small gardens.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Spiraea alba
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Maritime de l'Atlantique
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Spiraea alba

Specialized Bees Supported by Spiraea alba

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Sorbaria sorbifolia (False spirea)
  • Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard)
  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
  • Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)
  • Hibiscus (Non-Native Hibiscus)
  • Astilbe (Astilbe)
  • Berberis (Barberry)
  • Melilotus albus (Sweet White Clover)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are brown and crisp and starting to open
    • Seeds are dark and tiny stem attaching to the main stem is brown
    • Seeds easily fall off pod when shaken
    • Little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
  • Harvesting:
    • Secouer le porte-graines dans un sac de papier
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.