Spiraea douglasii

Common Names

Rose Spirea, Douglas' Spirea, Hardhack, Pink Spiraea

Summary

Douglas Spiraea is a deciduous shrub native to western North America, from Alaska to northern California and east to western Montana, typically 3–7 feet tall and forming dense thickets via rhizomes and suckers. It features oblong leaves that are dark green on top and whitish beneath, and pink flowers that appear in dense, cone- or panicle-like clusters up to 8 inches long, with long stamens giving a fuzzy appearance and a fragrant aroma.

Preferring full sun to partial shade, it thrives in moist, well-drained soils and tolerates wet or seasonally wet sites; soil type ranges from loamy to acidic. It should be pruned to remove suckers to prevent unwanted spread, as it can form dense colonies; hardy to USDA zones 5–8 and easily propagated by seed or cuttings. Uses include habitat restoration, riparian stabilization, and ornamental plantings, with attraction for bees and butterflies; it can spread aggressively via rhizomes, and may be susceptible to aphids and scale pests.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 feet

Spread

3-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist to wet soils, typically loamy to sandy loam textures, with a pH range of 4.5–7.5

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

Ideal soil pH is 5–7 (slightly acidic to neutral); tolerates 4.5–7.5.

Bloom Color

Pink to rose-colored

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Dark green on the upper surface with whitish undersides

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow to Yellow-Orange

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds