Suggested Native Replacements:
- Mountain laurel, Mountain ivy (Kalmia latifolia)
- New jersey tea, Mountain snowbell (Ceanothus americanus)
- Ninebark, Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius var. opulifolius)
- Pinxter azalea, Pinxterbloom (Rhododendron periclymenoides)
- Sweet pepperbush, Coastal white-alder (Clethra alnifolia)
- Virginia sweetspire, Virginia-willow (Itea virginica)
Common Name
Japanese spiraea
Plant Form
Shrubs & Small Trees
Region
Piedmont
Mountain
Considered Invasive by the State of Virginia?
Yes
Threat Level
Medium
Additional Info
Notes: First introduced from Asia due to its showy flowers. Its rapid spread when it escapes from cultivation crowds out native species in natural areas. It is now classified as invasive in the Mid-Atlantic states, including Virginia, and is on the list for Arlington County.
Method of removal: Repeated cutting controls spread but will not eliminate spiraea. Foliar thickets in summer or cut/paint individuals spring-fall
Attention! Resprouts; Seeds remain viable in soil for several years
Native Look-alikes
Spiraea alba var. alba
Spiraea tomentosa
Viburnum rafinesqueanum
Viburnum recognitum
iNaturalist Research-grade Observations