Japanese meadowsweet.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 5 to 10 days

Mature size

3 to 6 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to mid summer

Care

Plant this shrub in a spot that gets plenty of sun to keep it blooming its best. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign it needs a drink, and keep an eye out for any dead branches that might need a trim. It is a very forgiving plant that handles most soil types with ease.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy during the first growing season.

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer once in early spring before new growth starts.

Pruning

Prune back the branches in late winter or early spring to encourage a dense shape and more flowers.

Repotting

If growing in a container, move it to a larger pot every few years to refresh the soil.

Soil

Well draining, loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered non toxic but is not meant for consumption.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The small, dry seed capsules could pose a choking hazard if ingested by small children.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and ingestion may cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

• Clusters of pink or red flowers
• Oval leaves with serrated edges
• Upright and mounded growth habit
• Stems are slender and woody

Height

0.6 to 1.5m

Spread

0.6 to 1.5m

Leaves

green, yellow, bronze, deciduous

Flowers

pink, white, red, 0.5 to 0.8cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• Powdery MildewCommon
• Leaf SpotUncommon
• Root RotUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, division, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

No special winter protection is needed as it is fully hardy. Simply prune away dead wood in early spring before new growth begins.

In containers

It grows well in large containers at least 40 centimeters wide.

Pair with perennials that bloom at different times to keep your garden colorful all season.

Grows well with

• Daylily — They share similar sun and water requirements.
• Coneflower — The textures of these plants contrast beautifully in a border.

Similar species

• Bridal Wreath Spirea — It is a related shrub with a different, arching growth habit.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Spiraea

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern Asia including Japan, China, and Korea.

Conservation

This species is considered invasive in many parts of North America and should be planted with caution.

It naturally colonizes forest edges and clearings where it can access sufficient light.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental shrub, mass planting, low hedge

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How do I prune it?

Prune back by one third after flowering to encourage a second flush of blooms.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it flowers best when given at least six hours of direct sun daily.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Spiraea comes from the Greek word speira, meaning wreath, referring to the flexible branches. The species name japonica indicates its native origin in Japan.

Good to know

• It is a very adaptable shrub that thrives in many soil types.
• The flowers appear in dense clusters called corymbs.
• Many cultivars exist with varying leaf colors from gold to deep purple.