Hardhack

Scientific name

Spiraea Douglasii

Description

Grows in open areas of wet meadows, bogs, streambanks, and lake margins. Labrador Tea, Ledum groenlandicum, is often a companion of Douglas Spiraea in bogs. It can withstand drier periods in areas that are only seasonally wet. It usually occurs in wetlands, but is occasionally found in non-wetlands. It is a good choice for revegetation projects along waterbodies. Its attractive purplish-pink flower plumes create a “sea of pink” in “Hardhack bogs” when in bloom. Phenology: Bloom time: July-August; Fruit ripens: September-October. Use by people: Some natives used Douglas Spiraea for spreading and cooking salmon and for making tools to collect dentalia shells for trade and decoration. The flowers are can be dried and used in floral arrangements. Use by Wildlife: Douglas Spiraea is sometimes browsed by Black-tailed Deer. Flowers are pollinated by insects. In bogs, it provides cover for many water birds, such as Marsh Wrens, but alternatively may provide good hunting habitat for raptors.http://nativeplantspnw.com/douglas-spiraea-spiraea-douglasii/

Planting conditions

Douglas Spiraea is easy to start from seed. Fresh seed does not require stratification; dry seed may require 1-2 months cold stratification. Douglas Spiraea may also be propagated from stem or root cuttings, or division. After a fire or burial, it readily sprouts from the stem base and rhizomes.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 2m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Moist
  • Wet
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Loamy
  • Humus
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 8a
  • 8b
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • .5-2 M
• Spread:
  • 1M