Spiraea magic carpet is a popular variety of spirea shrub that is known for its vibrant foliage and compact size. With its attractive leaves that transition in color from red to orange, yellow, and green throughout the seasons, this shrub adds a splash of color to any garden or landscape. This cultivar of spirea is a low-growing, mounded plant that reaches a height of around 2 feet and spreads to about 3 feet wide. It has a dense growth habit, making it an excellent choice for ground covers, border plants, or mass plantings. Its compact size also makes it suitable for small gardens, containers, or even as a foundation plant. Spiraea magic carpet is a deciduous shrub that produces clusters of small, pink flowers in late spring to early summer.
The earliest written record of this sacred tree first appeared in the 1731 writings of French-Canadian fur-trader/explorer Sieur de la Verendrye (1685-1749), who at the time noted it was a mature cedar. The iconic weathered Spirit Tree has survived gales, ice floes and blizzards, and today is considered Minnesota’s oldest living landmark.
Known as the Spirit Little Cedar Tree Manidoo-giizhikens various spellings is the Ojibwe name, while others have called it The Witch Tree it is held sacred by the Ojibwe people and lives on their tribal sacred ground on the tip of Hat Point, looking out over the waters of Lake Superior as it has for 300-400 years. In the old days, the Indians would portage across the point back to a gully to avoid passing the tree and the Evil Spirit that lives in it and dared only approach in large groups, drumming and singing, and bearing gifts of tobacco to appease the Evil Spirit.
Spiraea magic carpet is a deciduous shrub that produces clusters of small, pink flowers in late spring to early summer. While the flowers are not the main feature of this plant, they contribute to its overall beauty and add a touch of charm to the garden. After the flowers fade, the plant develops seed heads, which are not particularly ornamental but provide additional interest.
Witch Tree: The Spirit Little Cedar Tree on Lake Superior
Appearing to grow out of bare rock along the Lake Superior shoreline east of Grand Portage is a sentinel-like small gnarled tree with twisted branches. Known as the Spirit Little Cedar Tree—Manidoo-giizhikens (various spellings) is the Ojibwe name, while others have called it The Witch Tree — it is held sacred by the Ojibwe people and lives on their tribal sacred ground on the tip of Hat Point, looking out over the waters of Lake Superior as it has for 300-400 years.
The earliest written record of this sacred tree first appeared in the 1731 writings of French-Canadian fur-trader/explorer Sieur de la Verendrye (1685-1749), who at the time noted it was a mature cedar. The iconic weathered Spirit Tree has survived gales, ice floes and blizzards, and today is considered Minnesota’s oldest living landmark.
Why is the Spirit Tree twisted, stunted and gnarled? The ancient tree is a northern white cedar ( Thuja occidentalis ) that seems to have begun life centuries ago inside a crack in the granite rocks. At some point, something damaged the tree’s crown leaving it with the distinctive bonsai-like stunted branches. Then, the original trunk became entwined by a root sprout, giving it that twisted aged look. And in time, the tree’s roots reached down to the lake through the crack. Spirit Tree barely reaches 15 feet in height, while northern white cedar trees normally grow 50 to 80 feet tall.
There’s legends and lore about the Spirit Little Cedar Tree. According to one Ojibwe legend, a hawk-like bird spirit is trapped inside and can wreak havoc to canoes and paddlers if there is no gift offering of tobacco. Another tale tells of an evil spirit that once resided in the tree, but was frightened away by the guns of arriving Europeans. Then there’s the story that the Spirit Tree was a woman who, following a vision, went to Hat Point as a lookout to look for some kind of change that was to come from Lake Superior.
Many believe the Spirit Tree has healing and mystical powers. And for centuries, the ancient tree has been sacred and of spiritual significance to the Ojibwe people of Grand Portage. Over the years it has also been a silent witness to the history of Minnesota’s North Shore and served as a landmark to paddlers passing by.
So, how did Spirit Little Cedar get the nickname, Witch Tree? Minnesota-born artist Dewey Albinson lays claim to first using the designation “Witch Tree” in 1922 after painting the iconic tree. He is quoted in the article “The Artist as Chronicler” by Mary Towley Swanson as saying it was “incredible that this wind-twisted old cedar can have braved the elements for perhaps four hundred years. In the old days, the Indians would portage across the point back to a gully to avoid passing the tree and the Evil Spirit that lives in it and dared only approach in large groups, drumming and singing, and bearing gifts of tobacco to appease the Evil Spirit.”
Traditionally, to help ensure safe passage on the waters of Lake Superior, which could suddenly turn wickedly turbulent, people made offerings to the Spirit Tree. In his book Minong -The Good Place , author Timothy Cochrane explains the Spirit Little Cedar Tree is the “traditional place to bring prayers and offers for a safe crossing and fishing success. Offerings of reverence and tobacco and ribbon—and earlier, vermilion—were left at the foot of the tree.” Cochrane also warned paddlers about the underwater lynx Mishipizhea, who supposedly had an “aquatic lair” in the nearby waters.
The Spirit Tree has inspired artists like the distinguished Ojibwe modernist George Morrison (1919-2000), a member of the Grand Portage band. In an essay by W. Jackson Rushing III, he writes, “Morrison was interested in magic (as an Indigenous medicinal practice) and the magic of nature, which would explain part of his attraction to the fierce beauty of the tree.”
Morrison’s former wife, artist Hazel Belvo, painted a series of paintings of the Spirit Tree, which writer Mary Abbe in an article in the Duluth Star Tribune (2013) described as “portraits of an ancient soul wrapped in a carapace of living wood.”
Stunning images of the tree have been captured by photographers like Travis Novitsky of the Grand Portage Anishinabe Nation and Bryan Hansel in Grand Marais. And the Spirit Tree / Witch Tree is featured as one of the world’s 50 historical trees in the recent book Wise Trees by Diane Cook and Len Jenshel.
Since 1989, when the Grand Portage Band purchased the property on which the Spirit Tree lives, access to the site has been closed to the public to protect the tree. Hiking down to the tree is prohibited unless accompanied by a tribal member of the Grand Portage Band.
The Spirit Tree has inspired artists like the distinguished Ojibwe modernist George Morrison (1919-2000), a member of the Grand Portage band. In an essay by W. Jackson Rushing III, he writes, “Morrison was interested in magic (as an Indigenous medicinal practice) and the magic of nature, which would explain part of his attraction to the fierce beauty of the tree.”
One of the key features of Spiraea magic carpet is its attractive foliage. The leaves emerge in spring as reddish-purplish, slowly transitioning to shades of orange, yellow, and finally green as summer progresses. This colorful foliage persists throughout the summer, adding visual interest and creating a beautiful contrast against other plants in the garden. This spirea variety is relatively low-maintenance and easy to grow. It prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. Regular watering during dry spells and pruning in late winter or early spring to maintain its shape are generally sufficient to keep this shrub healthy and looking its best. Spiraea magic carpet is a versatile and visually stunning plant that can enhance any garden or landscape. Its vibrant foliage, compact size, and low-maintenance nature make it an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike. Whether used as a ground cover, border plant, or container plant, this spirea variety is sure to bring a touch of magic to any outdoor space..
Reviews for "Spiraea Magic Carpet: A versatile and hardy shrub for any garden"
1. John - 1 star
I recently purchased the Spiraea magic carpet for my garden, but I am highly disappointed with its performance. Despite following all the care instructions, the plant failed to thrive and eventually withered away. It did not bloom as expected and the foliage lost its vibrant colors within a few weeks. I had high hopes for this plant, but it turned out to be a complete waste of money. I would not recommend the Spiraea magic carpet to anyone looking for a reliable and beautiful addition to their garden.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I was excited to add the Spiraea magic carpet to my garden, but it did not live up to my expectations. While the plant did initially have vibrant foliage, it quickly became dull and lackluster. The blooms were sparse and underwhelming. Despite proper care and attention, the plant did not thrive and eventually died. I was disappointed with its performance and would not recommend it to other garden enthusiasts unless they have a specific strategy for ensuring its survival.
3. Mark - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the Spiraea magic carpet, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The plant required constant pruning to maintain its desired shape, which proved to be quite time-consuming. Additionally, the foliage did not maintain its vibrant colors and had a dull appearance after just a few weeks. While the plant did have a decent bloom, it did not compensate for its overall lackluster performance. I would not purchase the Spiraea magic carpet again, as there are much better options available on the market.