White Meadowsweet

White Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) is in the rose family family (Rosaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,610 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.

Nationally it blooms mainly from July to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph White Meadowsweet: observations by month (U.S.)

About White Meadowsweet

Spiraea alba, commonly known as meadowsweet, white meadowsweet, narrowleaf meadowsweet, pale bridewort, or pipestem, is native to the wet soils of the Allegheny Mountains and other portions of eastern North America., but is currently endangered in the state of Missouri. It is naturalized in other parts of the world.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

White Meadowsweet by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (rose family)

Multiflora RoseRosa multiflora

Virginia strawberryFragaria virginiana

Southern DewberryRubus trivialis

Trailing BlackberryRubus ursinus

Purple-Flowered RaspberryRubus odoratus

ThimbleberryRubus parviflorus

SalmonberryRubus spectabilis

Mock StrawberryPotentilla indica

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ