Spiraea densiflora

Mountain Spiraea is a small deciduous sub-shrub, rarely growing to a meter in height. This shrub native to the Northern Sierras and northern Coastal Range puts on a great show of rosy pink pom poms in late spring and early summer. As winter approaches the leaves will turn to a nice golden yellow and eventually drop. Pruning after leaves fall will ensure a heavy bloom next season. In the wild it is found alongside stream banks and rocky outcrops near a water source and likes moist acidic, well drained soils. California north into Canada and extending east into Central Montana. Attracts butterflies and native bees Native Americans regarded the tea as a tonic & a treatment for loose bowels. The twigs were used to cook or smoke salmon. The native spireas & rose-family shrubs generally were also used as tobacco substitutes or to cut Kinnikinnik in native smoking blends. Found in along streams, lakes, in moist rocky areas, or open subalpine forests. Communitites located in Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine Forest. Between 2,000 to 11,000' .

Flat pink flower clusters and orange-red fall color make this small-medium native shrub from the mountain meadows attractive. Sun/Med-Wet