Douglas' Spirea
Spiraea douglasii
Last reviewed: October 2026
Douglas' Spirea (Spiraea douglasii) is a perennial shrub native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 2 more states. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw native bees, butterflies, and syrphid flies.
Toxicity unknown
Douglas' Spirea (Spiraea douglasii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
high
Size
48"–84" H × 48"–96" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CA, CO, ID, MT and 2 more states
Pollinators
native bees, butterflies, syrphid flies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Douglas' Spirea.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
An upright, thicket-forming shrub with narrow, toothed leaves and dense, spike-like clusters of rose-pink flowers in summer. It grows in wetlands and along streambanks, spreading by rhizomes to form colonies over time.
Growing Douglas' Spirea
Grow Douglas' Spirea in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 48 to 84 inches tall and spread 48 to 96 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Its abundant summer flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and syrphid flies, and the thickets provide nesting cover for wetland birds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Douglas' Spirea need?
- Douglas' Spirea grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Douglas' Spirea bloom?
- Douglas' Spirea blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Douglas' Spirea native?
- Douglas' Spirea (Spiraea douglasii) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 2 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Douglas' Spirea attract?
- Douglas' Spirea draws native bees, butterflies, and syrphid flies.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Douglas' Spirea? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.