Willowleaf meadowsweet (Spiraea salicifolia) is a deciduous perennial shrub that will grow to 1.8 m tall. It is often found in bogs or wet woodlands. It has twiggy branches and small simple leaves. It prefers full sun to partial shade.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Spiraea salicifolia, the bridewort, willow-leaved meadowsweet, spice hardhack, or Aaron’s beard, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. A shrub, it is native to east-central Europe, Kazakhstan, all of Siberia, the Russian Far East, Mongolia, northern China, Korea, and Japan, and it has been widely introduced to the rest of Europe and to eastern North America.
It has been cultivated since the 1500s for hedges and similar applications, but is not particularly well-behaved.
They are deciduous shrubs that reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. The leaves are lanceolate, of an intense green color and with a serrated margin. The flowers are small, pink in color and appear in very showy panicles. They bloom in summer.
II. How to Grow and Care
Willowleaf meadowsweet is known for being a hardy plant, tolerating various conditions and requiring minimal maintenance. Key care points include ensuring adequate moisture, particularly in dry conditions, and providing full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. Special care involves pruning to maintain shape and encourage blooming, done immediately after willowleaf meadowsweet’s flowering period.
Sunlight
Willowleaf meadowsweet needs sufficient light. The more sunlight, the more lush its blossoms. It can put up with short periods of shade, but overly shady environments weakens the photosynthesis process and reduces growth, leading to fewer blossoms and smaller, thinner leaves. The leaves of the variegated variety can lose color and turn green. Space plants 60 to 80 cm apart from each other in order to avoid blocking each other’s sunlight as mature plants.
Temperature
Willowleaf meadowsweet originated in the temperate and subtropical mountains of the Northern hemisphere. It grows best in regions with distinct four seasons. It’s best grown in temperatures between 10 to 25 ℃ , but can survive as cold as -20 ℃. Besides its excellent cold resistance, it’s also drought- and humidity-tolerant.
Watering
Willowleaf meadowsweet is a plant that thrives in moderately moist conditions, as it originates from regions with consistent rainfall. It exhibits a relative balance when it comes to water requirements and has a moderate tolerance for drought. The watering schedule for this plant should be maintained at once every three weeks. Given its preference for moisture, willowleaf meadowsweet is more commonly grown outdoors where it can benefit from natural rain cycles. Its growth cycle also aligns well with seasonal changes, making it an ideal choice for temperate climate zones.
Soil
Willowleaf meadowsweet can grow in barren, saline-alkali soil. It doesn’t require anything specific from the soil, which means you can use all-purpose garden soil. It likes sandy soil that is loose, permeable, and rich in organic matter, but can also live in loamy clay soil. If your region gets a lot of rain, mix 3 parts garden soil and 1 part river sand or perlite to improve the soil’s permeability and water drainage. It grows best in soil with a pH value at 7, a.k.a. neutral soil.
Fertilizing
For optimal growth, willowleaf meadowsweet thrives with balanced nutrition fertilizers. These should contain equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilize willowleaf meadowsweet in early spring, just as new growth appears, to enhance healthy development and vibrant flowering. A second application in mid-summer can further boost its vitality.
Use approximately one tablespoon of granular fertilizer per square foot of soil, ensuring even distribution and thorough soil incorporation to prevent root burn. Adjust fertilization frequency based on seasonal growth; increase during active growth periods and decrease in dormancy. Always water willowleaf meadowsweet immediately after fertilizing to help soil absorption. Properly timed and applied fertilization promotes robust willowleaf meadowsweet with a lush display.
Planting Instructions
Willowleaf meadowsweet is intolerant of standing water and can’t be planted on low-lying grounds. Transplant it in early spring and late fall, during its dormancy. Make a tree well 40 to 50 cm wide and 60 to 80 cm deep, and space plants 60 to 80 cm apart. Use either fully decomposed organic fertilizer or those with higher nitrogen and phosphorus content.
When transplanting, move root systems with surrounding soil. The bigger the plant is, the more soil should accompany the roots to raise its survival rate. After planting, cover with a layer of fine soil. Compact the soil and then water the plant. Water once every 7-10 days after the initial watering for 3 cycles, and then return to normal watering frequency as described below.
Pruning
Prune between the end of winter and early spring to trim overlapping, withered, or pest/disease-infested branches. If willowleaf meadowsweet gets too large, doesn’t have enough growing space, or looks less attractive, prune it severely. Its ability to sprout new branches is relatively strong, and flowers only bloom on new branches. Therefore, there is no need to worry that hard pruning may negatively affect its growth or bloom.
After blooming, cut off the branches that flowered to avoid unnecessary nutrition consumption. This encourages new branches to sprout and prepare to flower. Cover incisions with callus anticorrosion film to encourage healing and prevent bacterial infection.
Propagation
Willowleaf meadowsweet is effectively propagated through cuttings. Gardeners should select healthy, semi-hardwood stems and make clean cuts below the node. It’s crucial to strip the lower leaves and slightly wound the stem to encourage root growth. The use of rooting hormone enhances rooting success. Plant the cuttings in a well-draining soil mix, ensuring a humid environment while avoiding saturation to foster root development without rot.
Transplanting
The optimal time to replant willowleaf meadowsweet is when the warmth of late spring melds into early summer, offering the ideal balance of mild temperatures and long days that promote root establishment. Choose a sunny to partly shaded site with well-drained soil for your willowleaf meadowsweet, ensuring it can thrive. A whispered tip—amend the soil with organic matter to welcome willowleaf meadowsweet to its new home.
III. Uses and Benefits
Willowleaf meadowsweet is a species of deciduous shrub that is included in temperate gardens for its beautiful flowers, pest and disease resistance, and adaptability to different conditions. It is generally planted as hedges, as an ornamental beside ponds or streams, or in clusters with other flowering plants.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Willowleaf meadowsweet’s branches, leaves, and flowers are all highly ornamental and often used in bouquets. After harvest, cut the base of the flowering twigs at a 45° angle with a pair of sharp gardening scissors to maximize the water absorption surface. Place the twigs into a vase filled with clean water quickly to avoid water loss. Cut flowers can last 7-10 days.
