We live and learn as gardeners. It is unlikely that those who fell in love with Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica) when it was imported to the United States a century ago had any idea that the gorgeous ornamental, with its showy pink flowers, would be a threat to native ecosystems today. Yet it clearly is, and responsible homeowners should find an alternative to Spirea. If you are wondering what to plant instead of spirea, it’s good to know that there are more than a few excellent native alternatives. The Japanese Spirea Problem Japanese spiraea tolerates a vast range of soil conditions. It can thrive in full sun or partial shade. It grows happily along streams and rivers, and naturalizes along forest edges, roadsides, and powerline right-of-ways. The problem is, Japanese spirea is simply too prolific. Each plant produces hundreds of seeds that stay viable in the soil for years. Since […]
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