Steeplebush
(Spiraea tomentosa)
Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa)
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Bruce Cook
Public Domain
Image By:
Bruce Cook
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Bruce Cook | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Bruce Cook | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-07-27T08:10:13-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Spiraea tomentosa, commonly known as Steeplebush, is a deciduous shrub native to wet meadows, stream banks, and shrub wetlands in the Northeastern United States and parts of Canada. It typically grows to a height of up to four feet and features a rounded, mound-like form. The leaves are dark green above with a dense, white-woolly tomentum beneath, giving them a distinctive texture. During the summer, Steeplebush produces numerous tiny, pink flowers, each about 1/16 of an inch wide, arranged in narrow, pyramid-shaped flowerheads up to eight inches long. These blooms are moderately showy and attract pollinators. After flowering, the plant bears small, dry, brown fruit. The specific epithet ’tomentosa’ refers to the woolly texture of the leaf undersides and stems.
Steeplebush is valued for its tolerance of wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, naturalized areas, and for erosion control due to its fibrous root system. It is also appreciated for its ornamental flowers and the textural contrast its foliage provides. This shrub is known for its astringent properties and has been used medicinally. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade and prefers moist to wet soil. Steeplebush is adaptable to various soil types, including those with fast, medium, or slow drainage. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread by suckers and may require management to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Steeplebush is valued for its tolerance of wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, naturalized areas, and for erosion control due to its fibrous root system. It is also appreciated for its ornamental flowers and the textural contrast its foliage provides. This shrub is known for its astringent properties and has been used medicinally. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade and prefers moist to wet soil. Steeplebush is adaptable to various soil types, including those with fast, medium, or slow drainage. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread by suckers and may require management to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Width: 3-5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Hedges, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Wet meadows, stream banks, and shrub wetlands
Other Names
Common Names: Meadowsweet, Eastern Hardhack, Filtet Spiræa, Gelbfilziger Spierstrauch, Filtspirea, Viltige Spirea, Luddspirea
Scientific Names: , Spiraea tomentosa, Spiraea tomentosa var. rosea, Spiraea tomentosa f. albiflora, Spiraea tomentosa f. tomentosa, Spiraea parvifolia, Drimopogon ferruginea, Drimopogon glomerata, Drimopogon parvifolia, Drimopogon rosea
GBIF Accepted Name: Spiraea tomentosa L.