Elm-leaf spiraea (Spiraea chamaedryfolia, Sp. Pl.: 489 (1753))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 489 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Spiraea

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Europe to Japan

Description

Elm-leaf spiraea, scientifically known as Spiraea chamaedryfolia, is a charming and hardy deciduous shrub that belongs to the Rose family (Rosaceae). First described by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has long captivated botanists and horticulture enthusiasts alike.

Originating from a wide range across Southeastern Europe all the way to Japan, Elm-leaf spiraea thrives in various climates and conditions, showcasing its resilience and adaptability. This plant is particularly noted for its attractive foliage and delicate clusters of white flowers that bloom profusely in late spring to early summer, making it a popular choice for ornamental gardens and landscapes.

The leaves of Spiraea chamaedryfolia are reminiscent of elm leaves, leading to its common name. They are simple, serrate, and can provide a lush green backdrop throughout the growing season before turning to pleasing shades in the autumn. The plant typically grows to a height of 1.5 to 2 meters, forming a dense, arching habit that can add structure and interest to garden settings.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Elm-leaf spiraea is also appreciated for its ease of care. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, though it can tolerate a degree of drought and a variety of soil types, making it a versatile addition to many garden ecosystems.

In addition to its horticultural value, Spiraea chamaedryfolia plays a role in local ecosystems, providing habitat and food for various pollinators. The profusion of small, nectar-rich flowers is particularly attractive to bees and butterflies, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological health of the areas where it is planted.

Overall, the Elm-leaf spiraea is a delightful and robust plant that offers both beauty and ecological benefits, crafted by nature to thrive across a vast geographical range from Southeastern Europe to Japan. Whether used in landscape design or cherished for its natural grace, this spiraea variety continues to hold a treasured place in gardens around the world.

Common Names

Eng: elm-leaf spiraea, germander meadowsweet, elm-leaved spiraea, germander spiraea
Deu: gamander-spierstrauch, gamanderblättriger spierstrauch
Dan: kvast-spiræa
Spa: reina del prado
Por: buquê-de-noiva
Swe: kvastspirea, snårspirea
Nld: iepspirea
Fra: spirée à feuilles de germandrée
Cym: erwain dail llwyfen
En: Elm-leaf spiraea, Germander meadowsweet, Elm-leaved Spiraea, Germander spiraea, Germander Spirea
Zh: Shi can ye xiu xian ju
Da: Kvast-spiræa
Nl: Iepspirea
Fr: Spirée à feuilles de germandrée, Spirée à feuilles de petit-chêne
De: Gamander-Spierstrauch, Gamanderblättriger Spierstrauch
Pt: Buquê-de-noiva
Es: Reina del prado
Sv: Kvastspirea, Snårspirea
Cy: Erwain Dail Llwyfen

Synonyms

• Spiraea belgica (Dumort.)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. subracemosa (Ser.)
• Spiraea oblongata (Wender.)
• Spiraea versifolia (Raf.)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. vulgaris (Cambess.)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. pubescens (H.Hara)
• Spiraea banatica (Janka)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. typica (Fiori)
• Spiraea flexuosa var. latifolia (Fisch. ex Maxim.)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. ulmifolia ((Scop.) Maxim.)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. stenophylla (Zabel)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia subsp. ulmifolia ((Scop.) J.Duvign.)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. transiens (Zabel)
• Spiraea ulmifolia f. suborbicularis (Nyár.)
• Spiraea ulmifolia var. trichocarpa (Borbás)
• Spiraea ulmifolia var. pilosa (Nakai)
• Spiraea ulmifolia f. subalpina (Schur)
• Spiraea ulmifolia var. parvifolia (Lavallée)
• Spiraea ulmifolia var. phyllantha (Ser.)
• Spiraea ulmifolia subsp. banatica ((Janka) Nyman)
• Spiraea ulmifolia var. leiocarpa (Borbás)
• Spiraea alnifolia (Zabel)
• Spiraea ulmifolia (Scop.)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. flexuosa ((Fisch. ex Cambess.) Maxim.)
• Spiraea ussuriensis (Pojark.)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia subsp. ussuriensis ((Pojark.) Nedol.)
• Spiraea yazawai (Makino)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. pilosa ((Nakai) H.Hara)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia subsp. flexuosa ((Fisch. ex Cambess.) Nedol.)
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. crataegifolia (Zabel)
• Spiraea aubifolia (Zabel)
• Spiraea flexuosa var. stenophylla ((Zabel) C.K.Schneid.)
• Spiraea flexuosa var. typica (C.K.Schneid.)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• Greece (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by sea shell (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2021 by Janice Israeloff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2020 by Frozy

Taken Apr 18, 2020 by carine letendre (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Jeff B (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2021 by Олег (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2022 by Stéphane Adamowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2021 by Egon Krogsgaard (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 13, 2021 by Egon Krogsgaard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2020 by Frozy

Taken May 13, 2021 by Egon Krogsgaard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Maria Primula (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2020 by carine letendre (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 16, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2021 by Stéphanie Aït Larbi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 21, 2019 by Alexandre Mailleux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2019 by D. Taylor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2021 by Lammerts Jordi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2021 by Nick Marmont (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 3, 2020 by Ortiz Carlos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2020 by Ortiz Carlos (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2021 by Sindy Merfel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2021 by Lammerts Jordi (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3026406)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:742175-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Spiraea chamaedryfolia L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 6