This species is treated in a wide sense to include Spiraea aemiliana C.K.Schneid., as well as the N. American species Spiraea corymbosa Raf., and Spiraea lucida Douglas ex Hook. Spiraea corymbosa and Spiraea lucida are both treated as distinct in the Flora of N. America[].

Common Name:

General Information

Spiraea betulifolia is a deciduous shrub with a dense, globose crown; it can grow 50 - 60cm tall[]. The plant forms a dense clump of growth, with new stems being produced annually from the base[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a tea. A low -growing, abundantly flowering shrub, it is widely used as an ornamental plant, especially for border settings and as a low hedge[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - E. Siberia, Russian Far East, Japan; N. America -British Colombia to Saskatchewan, to Oregon and S. Dakota, also Pennsylvania to N. Carolina

Habitat

High mountains, N. Japan[]. Dry sparsely wooded and open mountain slopes, rock streams, peat bogs, mainly deciduous, and Siberian stone pine forests; usually growing as single shrubs or in small groups[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Tolerates most soils[], but prefers a good loamy, well-drained soil, abundant moisture and full sunlight[, , ].
Species in this genus generally hybridize freely with other members of this genus, and so seed cannot be relied upon to come true unless the plant has been grown in isolation from other species that are flowering at the same time[].
This species flowers on growth of the current season. It produces some new stems from the base each year, flowering most freely at the tops of these stems in mid to late summer. Cutting out some of the older and weaker stems from near the base in late winter encourages a better flowering display[, ].
The flowers are attractive to butterflies[].

Edible Uses

The leaves are a tea substitute[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be used to make a low hedge for paths and walkways[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if possible. It is likely to require stratification before it germinates, so stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as you receive it. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a light sandy soil a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15cm long, autumn in an outdoor frame[].
Division of suckers in early spring[]. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.