Spiraea virginiana

Virginia Meadowsweet or Appalachian Spiraea (Spiraea virginiana) is a native species of spiraea similar to Japanese spiraea. It is rare in Tennessee (Endangered) and listed as Threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Japanese spiraea is distinguished by dense pubescence on the branchlets and inflorescence, lanceolate leaves, and pink flowers. Virginia meadowsweet has smooth, white flowers.

Landscape Alternatives

These native shrubs are good substitutes for Japanese spiraea in the landscape.

Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius, has showy white flower clusters in May, exfoliating bark, and colorful foliage (cultivars). Attrative to bees, birds, and butterflies.

Arrowwood, Viburnum dentatum, features showy white flower clusters in spring, black fruit in fall, and great fall color. Attractive to bees, birds, and butterflies.

Steeplebush or Hardhack, Spiraea tomentosa, has narrowly conical spires of bright pink flowers and is attractive to butterflies.

Alabama Snowwreath, Neviusia alabamensis, has loads of feathery white flowers in spring and assumes a mounded form.

Summersweet or Sweet Pepperbush, Clethra alnifolia, produces fragrant spires of white to pink flowers in summer and attracts bees and butterflies.

Piedmont Azalea and Pinxterbloom Azalea, Rhododendron canescens and R. periclymenoides, are deciduous azaleas with large, showy clusters of fragrant pink flowers in spring and great fall color. Attractive to bees and butterflies.