False spirea is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial in the Saxifragaceae family native to Japan and found growing in rocky ravines of the mountains. The specific epithet japonica means "of Japan" This plant grows in clumps 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall and wide, requiring partial to full shade and moist, rich, well-drained soils. In cooler summer areas, it will tolerate more sun. Propagate by seed or division. It is generally deer and rabbit resistant. In late spring to early summer, white flowers appear in terminal clusters 4 to 8 inches long. The fern-like leaves are glossy green. Cultivars are available offering a variety of flower colors to choose from. Use false spirea in the border of shade, cottage, woodland or cutting gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheAchillea millefoliumBegonia – Wax TypesEchinacea 'Tomato Soup'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in. | Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Clumping; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Lobed; Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Doubly compound leaves are up to 6 inches long and have multiple leaflets with deeply toothed margins
Flower color
White
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
White flowers appear in clusters 6 to 8 inches long above the foliage in early spring to late summer