Spiraea cantoniensis Lour.

Reeves' Spirea; Double Bridal Wreath; Reeves' Meadowsweet

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Double Bridal Wreath is an introduced deciduous shrub in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It is native to China. In Alabama it is often planted and has been collected as an escape primarily in the southern half of the state. Double Bridal Wreath occurs around old home sites, on fence rows, and along roadsides. It is a deciduous clump-forming shrub with arching stems that grows 6-8 feet in height. The leaves are petiolate, alternate, elliptic to lanceolate in outline, glabrous, with irregularly serrate margins. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green and the lower surface is blueish green and often glaucous. Flowers are produced in axillary corymbs or hemispheric panicles. The flowers have numerous white petals. The fruit is an inflated follicle. The wild form of this species as found in China has five petals, which is typical of the genus. All specimens from Alabama are of the “double-flowered” cultivar which usually do not produce fruit. Double Bridal Wreath is a hardy, disease free species commonly planted for its early spring flowers. It prefers a sunny to partially shaded location with well-draining soils. Plants are easily rooted from stem cuttings.—A. Diamond

**

Not Native

**