Native Plants
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Spiraea splendens var. splendens
Spiraea splendens Baumann ex K. Koch var. splendens
Rose Meadowsweet, Subalpine Spiraea
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s): Spiraea densiflora, Spiraea densiflora ssp. splendens, Spiraea densiflora var. splendens
USDA Symbol: SPSPS
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Subalpine spiraea is a low-statured, deciduous shrub, 2-3 ft. tall, with shiny, bright green leaves; reddish-purple bark; and flat-topped clusters of tiny, dark-pink to purple flowers.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Aggregate , Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Fruit: Aggregated follicles.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PinkBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CA , ID , MT , NV , OR , WA , WYCanada: BC
Native Distribution: Mts. from B.C. to n.w. & Sierran CA, e. to MT
Native Habitat: Wet, open meadows; wooded or open, rocky slopes; stream banks; 2000-11,000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Moist to wet, rocky soils.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Grows easily from seed or cuttings. Offshoots from the parent rootstock establish well.Seed Treatment: 1 month stratification is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native shade plants around fountain in California
March 18, 2009
Hi, we just put a fountain in our front yard. It is in a mostly shady area. I need to know what plants would go best around the fountain and survive in the shade.
view the full question and answer
Alternatives to non-native heather (Calluna vulgaris)
April 27, 2007
I live in Vernon, BC, Canada. I plan to put a heather plant in my garden, but my space is limited. I know that it will grow approx. 2 ft. high and that it likes well drained and acidic soil, but how...
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Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Spiraea splendens var. splendens in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Spiraea splendens var. splendens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Spiraea splendens var. splendens
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-28Research By: TWC Staff