Spiraea lucida (formerly Spiraea betulifolia var. lucida)
Shinyleaf spiraea's uniquely small stature, versatility and stunning fall color make it a must-have in most any Northwest native garden. In late spring, its stem tips are laden with flat clusters of tiny, white or blush pink flowers that are notoriously long-lasting and useful for pollinators. Flower clusters mature into golden brown seeds that are easy to overlook, but a delight to those that stop to appreciate all aspects of the growth cycle. Fall is this shrub’s prime time, when its toothed, egg-shaped leaves become aglow with an autumnal rainbow of color that will light up even your toughest garden locations.
Previously, this plant was listed as a variety of Spiraea betulifolia, which is an Asian species. It is now understood to be a distinct species.
- Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous, perennial, small shrub
- Size at maturity: 2-3' tall, equally wide
- Light requirements: full sun, part sun/part shade
- Moisture requirements: dry, moist to seasonably wet soil; prefers well drained
- Bloom time: May - Aug (July - August in the Portland Metro area)
- Growth rate/ease: medium growth rate, moderately easy to grow
- Wildlife support: flowers provide nectar for adult butterflies, bees, syrphid flies, moths and other insect pollinators; leaves and branches offer limited cover for birds and small mammals, but fallen leaves will protect the soil for overwintering invertebrates, which provide food for countless species; overall plant attracts and supports beneficial and pest eating insects and is a caterpillar host plant and larval food source for native butterflies and moths
- Native habitat/range: uncommon; grows in a wide range of habitats from meadows, edges of lakes, forest openings and edges, and on dry, rocky slopes and outcroppings from foothills to wetter forests, sea level to 1400m, from British Columbia to Oregon and eastward to Saskatchewan and Minnesota. Portland Plant List - yes.
- Special features & uses: deer resistant; drought-resistant; medicinally a tea can be made from its branches, leaves or roots to treat abdominal and menstrual pains; landscape uses include pollinator gardens, rock gardens and edges of woodland gardens, erosion control and hedgerows
Gardening with Shinyleaf Spiraea: Dense mounds of foliage stand less than 3ft, making it one of the only plants in the "small native shrub" pallet. It's an excellent choice for borders and foundation plantings. Plus, it's highly versatile and drought-tolerant, capable of thriving in full sun to part shade and a wide range of soil types, but preferably well-drained. Removing faded flowers and providing infrequent/deep water during the summer drought (i.e. deep watering every 2-3 weeks) will encourage additional blooms. It flowers on first year growth, so prune older stems in late winter or early spring if needed.
Companion Plants: Consider planting among other native shrubs such as red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), Douglas spiraea (Spiraea douglasii) or common chokecherry (Prunus virginiana); surrounded by herbaceous plants like slender-foot sedge (Carex leptopoda), bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa), fringecup (Tellima grandiflora), red columbine (Aquilegia formosa) or other “pioneer” species like pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
Photo Credit 1, 2, 3: Eileen Stark
Photo Credit 4: Tara Lemezis, Tiny Seed Photography
Photo Credit 5: Nikkie West, Sparrowhawk Native Plants