Birch-leaved Spirea
Birch-leaved spirea (Spiraea betulifolia) is a deciduous shrub.
- Smooth stems grow erectly from rhizomes. Branches are thin and short.
- Oblong toothed green leaves grow oppositely from the stem.
- The shrub is low-growing (30 – 90 cm).
- The Inflorescence is a branched terminal cluster of whitish small flowers.
- It flowers in May and June and may still be spotted in July.
- All photos by the author. Click an image for a lightbox view.
- After flowering beaked brownish capsules form.
- Usually found in mid elevations in our area, mostly in openings.
- Other names include prairie wedgegrass, white spirea, and white meadow-sweet.
- It is pollinated by butterflies, bees, and moths.
- Spirea can be propagated by softwood cuttings, hardword cuttings, or by root division.
- We have many volunteers on our propery, but they are easy to pull out or to transplant.