Spiraea betulifolia

Common Names

Birchleaf Spirea, White Spirea, Shiny-Leaf Spirea, Shinyleaf Spirea, White Meadowsweet, Shinyleaf Meadowsweet

Summary

Birchleaf Spiraea (Spiraea betulifolia) is a dense, compact, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub native to Japan and eastern Asia, forming a rounded mound about 2–3 ft tall and wide. It features birch-like dark green leaves that turn red, orange, and purple in fall, and it bears fragrant, small white flowers in late spring to early summer, arranged in clusters at branch ends. Flowers form on new wood and attract butterflies, with nectar for bees, while fall foliage provides a colorful display.

In cultivation, Birchleaf Spiraea prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained soil with average moisture, tolerating a wide range of soils and pH; it is hardy in USDA zones 4–9 and has a low-maintenance profile. It flowers on new wood, so pruning in late winter to early spring helps maintain shape; deadheading after flowering can encourage a second bloom. It is well-suited for specimen or group plantings in rock gardens, shrub borders, low hedges, foundation plantings, and butterfly gardens; deer generally ignore it. Propagation is possible by softwood cuttings in summer or by division in autumn or spring.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-3 feet

Spread

24 inches to 3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loamy soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Not particular about soil pH; tolerates a wide range (acidic to alkaline)

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Late spring to early summer

Foliage Color

Dark green, orange, red, and purple in autumn

Fall Foliage Color

Orange, Red, Purple

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium growth rate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Layering, Division, Cuttings (softwood or hardwood)

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators