Narrowleaf Meadowsweet

Spiraea alba

This plant forms a small shrub topped by spikes or panicles of white or pale pink flowers that appear fuzzy because of the many stamens; spikes are up to 5 inches tall, individual flowers about 3/8 inch across, opening from neat spherical buds.  The panicle blooms from the top flowers downward.  Leaves are closely arrayed along the stem, narrow and finely but sharply toothed; they are up to 3 inches long near the base and 1/2 inch or more wide, but smaller along the upper stems.  (The image at left shows an immature panicle; they are usually taller and broader when in full bloom.)

A similar species more common in the east, [Broadleaf] Meadowsweet, S. latifolia, does not seem to occur in this area.

2-5 feet, sun. It prefers damp locations.

Summer (June-September).

  After blooming the panicles leave brown-orange seed heads (here showing the shape of mature flowering panicles).

17 August 2020.

Meadowsweet, 12 July 2020.