Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Spirea alba is the native Meadowsweet shrub. White Meadowsweet is a variety of the native that grows in a more compact shape that makes it much more low maintenance. The pink buds open into fluffy white masses of flowers that are magnets for beneficial pollinators. White Meadowsweet is a deciduous shrub that is at home in a naturalized native garden or highly ornamental Cottage Garden.
Meadowsweet makes for a great cut flower and is often used as a filler in mid-summer arrangements. This shrub is native to New England, the upper Atlantic states and the upper midwest. It is a wildlife magnet. Many species of Butterflies, native bees, birds and other small animals use various parts of this plant for survival. The masses of fluffy flowers ripen into seeds that feed the birds throughout the winter.
White Meadowsweet Care
White Meadowsweet is really suited to most soil textures and pH levels. It grows better in poor soil than overly fertile soil. Watering ust be consistent. This shrub is often used in Rain Garden schemes or along stream sites. Good drainage during the winter months is very important to keep the roots from rotting and freezing. Full sun to part shade is important. Meadowsweet will bloom better in more sun.
Pruning is rarely needed. A quick deadheading after the blooms finish is useful to restrict seeding. Alternately, pruning back of dead, diseased, dying and diagonal branches is done in the early spring to clean up any winter damage. Mulching with leaves or other organic compost in the winter will help to improve the soil's water holding capacity over time.
White Meadowsweet Spacing
The mature height of White Meadowsweet is 3-4 feet with a width of 3-4 feet. Planting many together in a woodland setting is very effective and will give a more naturalistic feel to the garden. Space the plants at 40 inches on center to allow proper air circulation.
White Meadowsweet Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 7 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 3-4 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 3-4 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink, White
- Flower Description
- Pink, White
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- White Meadowsweet
- Botanical Name
- SPIRAEA ALBA VAR. LATIFOLIA
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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