Common Name: Bridewort

General Information

Spiraea salicifolia is an erect to spreading, rarely-branched deciduous shrub, usually growing up to 100cm tall, but in shadier sites more likely to reach 200cm[, , ]. The plant suckers freely and forms dense, almost impassable thickets[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is used in soil stabilization projects and has long been grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a hedge. There are many named forms[, ].
The plant has escaped from cultivation in N. America, Europe etc, and become established in several areas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, , ,

Range

Eurasia - Poland to the Balkans, east through Siberia to Mongolia, the Russian Far East, China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Wet boggy places in the mountains of N. Japan[]. Riverbanks, flooded meadows, tussocks of forest and meadow bogs; nearly always forming thickets[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Spiraea salicifolia is a very cold hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[].
Tolerates most soils[], but prefers a good loamy soil, abundant moisture and full sunlight[, ]. Prefers a moist lime-free soil[], plants quickly become chlorotic on chalk soils[].
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[].
A rampant suckering shrub, it quickly produces dense thickets[]. It is apt to get thin and poor unless divided up fairly regularly and replanted in fairly good soil[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked[]. Rich in vitamin C[].

Medicinal

The roots have been used in the treatment of coughs and chest colds[].

Immature seeds have been used in the treatment of diarrhoea with blood[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has an extensive root system and suckers freely - it makes a good soil stabilizer for river and lakeside banks[].
Plants are frequently planted in hedges[].

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.