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Douglas
Spirea |
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Species Profile by Wendy Aeschliman |
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Common Name(s): Douglas Spirea; Pink Spirea; Rose Spirea, Steeplebush, Hardhack (so-called by settlers because dense masses of the bush are hard to hack through.) Scientific Name: Spiraea douglasii. Spiraea comes from the Greek word, speira, which refers to wreaths, or garlands. It is for this reason that species of spirea are often referred to as bridal-wreath shrubs. Douglasii was named after the Scottish botanist David Douglas. General Info: A many-branched deciduous shrub with woolly young growth. To 1.5 m tall. Spreads into dense colonies in wetlands through rhizomes. Native/ Non-native: Native. Alaska to California, E to Montana. Ecology: Riparian species: streambanks, swamps, fens, lake margins and damp meadows. Scattered yet locally abundant in lower to mid elevation. Leaves: Oblong to oval leaves 1 to 4 inches long, smooth edges near base and toothed above the middle; dark green upper side and light green underside (See photo at right) Flowers: Tiny (5 mm across), pink to deep rose numerous flowers in elongate clusters several times longer than broad. Fruits: Tiny seeds thought to be dispersed by wind and animals. Light: Generally shade intolerant in native environments. Landscape Uses: Makes an attractive, showy garden ornamental; easy to propagate from creeping offshoots. May become invasive if not kept back. Wildlife: A dense habitat for small animal shelter and bird nesting. Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Food source for animals such as deer. Uses: Wetland restoration. Listed as a national wetland indicator species. Notes: Many species of spirea are used in flower arrangements. Douglas' spirea may hybridize with white spiraea (S. betulifolia) to form pyramid spirea (S. x pyramidata Greene).
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 Photo by Wendy Aeschlliman |