About Spiraea alba Du Roi
Narrowleaf meadowsweet (Spiraea alba Du Roi) is a shrub that typically reaches 3 to 4 feet in height at maturity, with a spread matching its height. In its native habitat, this species is often the most visible component of local vegetation, covering large areas of ground. It has glossy yellow-green, oblong or lance-shaped leaves with toothed edges, and tough yellowish brown twigs. Its fall foliage turns a golden yellow color. The fragrant flowers, which are usually white and sometimes pink, grow in spike-like clusters at the ends of branches, and bloom from early summer through September. The brown fruit that remains on the plant after flowering is a characteristic shared by all Spiraea species. For ecology, butterflies and other beneficial insects such as bees visit this plant to feed on its nectar and pollen. In autumn, brown seed capsules develop, which are eaten by songbirds. Deer generally do not feed on this plant. It also acts as a host plant for the larvae of the spring azure butterfly, Celastrina argiolus. For uses, the plant's blooms work well as cut flowers. Historically, its hollow, upright stems were used as pipe stems.
