A genus of small, hardy, deciduous shrubs from around the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, with the greatest concentration in east Asia. The herbaceous species that used to be included in the genus have now been separated out as Filipendula and Aruncus. The remaining shrubby ones are characterised by have arching branches that can be packed with masses of white or creamy flowers.

Spiraea chamaedryfolia is a species that comes from Europe through Asia to Japan, producing arching sprays of white flowers. It is sometimes known as the elm-leaf spiraea or germander meadowsweet.