Spiraea tomentosa

Common Names

Steeplebush, Hardhack, Rosy Meadowsweet, Meadowsweet

Summary

Steeplebush is a native eastern North American, suckering deciduous shrub forming a mound of erect stems, typically 2–4 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide. Leaves are elliptic to ovate and densely tomentose beneath. Pink to rose-purple flowers appear in dense steeple-shaped panicles from mid-summer to early autumn, flowering on new wood and attracting bees and butterflies. It spreads by suckers to form colonies and occurs in moist habitats such as wetlands, bogs, and marshes, tolerating full sun or light shade.

Growing conditions include full sun and moist to wet soils, with tolerance for a range of soils and light shade; hardy in zones 3–8. This plant naturally forms colonies by spreading through suckers and requires low maintenance; remove faded flower clusters to extend bloom and prune in late winter to early spring if needed since flowers occur on new wood. Deer resistant; uses include rain gardens, pond margins, borders, mass plantings, hedges, and naturalized areas.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-4 feet

Spread

3-5 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun/partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, acidic soil

Soil Drainage

Moist to wet soils.

Soil pH

Acidic to moderately acidic soil.

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Summer to Fall

Foliage Color

Green, green with bluish cast, yellow-green, yellow, reddish-gold or golden-yellow in autumn

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Suckers

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds