Bridewort, Willowleaf meadowsweet
Spiraea salicifolia
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Spiraea salicifolia is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1.8
Where it is found
Wet boggy places in the mountains of N. Japan. More or less naturalized in woods in Wales and N. England.
Europe to E. Asia. Naturalized in Wales and N. Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young leaves - cooked. Rich in vitamin C.
Oil: Oil
Medicine
Rating: 1
The roots have been used in the treatment of coughs and chest colds. Immature seeds have been used in the treatment of diarrhoea with blood.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Pectoral: Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
Vitamin C: Plants good for their vitamin C content
Other
Rating: 1
A soil stabilizer for river and lakeside banks. Plants are frequently planted in hedges.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
Tolerates most soils, but prefers a good loamy soil, abundant moisture and full sunlight. Prefers a moist lime-free soil, plants quickly become chlorotic on chalk soils. A very cold hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. A rampant suckering shrub, it quickly produces dense thickets. It is apt to get thin and poor unless divided up fairly regularly and replanted in fairly good soil.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if possible. It is likely to require stratification before it germinates, so stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as you receive it. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a light sandy soil a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15cm long, October/November in an outdoor frame. Another report says that September is a good time to do this. Division of suckers in early spring. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist