Brought to the United States as an ornamental plant in the 1870, Spiraea japonica seemed like a benign choice in the landscape: the shrub is hardy, adaptable, and the pink flowers appeal to butterflies.2 However, this garden center staple has a dark side. Plants produce hundreds of seeds that germinate easily and create a dense canopy that prevents rare and threatened native spirea plants, like S. virginiana, from growing. Instead, grow sedum 'Autumn Joy,' which also sports pink flower clusters and attracts pollinators.