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Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush)

Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush) leaves in June
Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush) flower buds in June
Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush) flower plumes in June
Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush) en masse in June
Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush) in June at the North Carolina Arboretum.
Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush) fruit in June.

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Spiraea tomentosa Tried and True Native Plant Selections Steeplebush, Hardhack for the Mid-Atlantic This lovely resident of wet prairies, meadows, and marshes has lovely tiny, pink flowers on its spire-like plumes that resemble those of invasive Japanese Spiraea, for which it is a good native* substitute. Its epithet refers to the tomentose hairs on abaxial leaves and young stems. Shrub Shrub, Flowers and Foliage, Fruit Height: 2–4 feet Spread: 3–5 feet Bloom Color: Pink Characteristics Mound-shaped deciduous shrub with erect stems Alternate, elliptic to ovate, coarsely-toothed, green leaves densely tomentose beneath; yellow fall color Dense, 4–8 inch, terminal panicles of tiny, five- petaled, pink to rose-purple flowers with exserted stamens from July to September Small, brown, ovoid follicles with short beaks September to March Spreads by suckers to form colonies Attributes Tolerates erosion and light shade; no serious pests or diseases although may be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew Deer seldom severely damage Ethnobotanic/medicinal use by Native Americans Attracts bees, flies, butterflies, beetles; larval host to ~63 lepidopterans including the Io moth Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Moderately acidic Excellent Replacement for Buddleia davidii - Butterfly Bush Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Prune late winter to early spring, if necessary Spiraea japonica - Japanese Spiraea Deadhead to encourage additional blooming *In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is not native to DC or NoVA. In DE, it is rare in the Piedmont and common in the Coastal Plain. It is found in MD’s Coastal Plain and is present throughout PA. It is frequent to locally common in the Coastal Plain, rare in the Piedmont, and infrequent to locally common in the southwest and west central mountains in VA. Use in rain gardens, pond edges, or as a hedge Hardiness: USDA Zones 3a–8b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, North Carolina Arboretum and Glenstone, Maryland

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
 for the Mid-Atlantic

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Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush)

This lovely resident of wet prairies, meadows, and marshes has lovely tiny, pink flowers on its spire-like plumes that resemble those of invasive Japanese Spiraea, for which it is a good native* substitute. Its epithet refers to the tomentose hairs on abaxial leaves and young stems.

*In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is not native to DC or NoVA. In DE, it is rare in the Piedmont and common in the Coastal Plain. It is found in MD’s Coastal Plain and is present throughout PA. It is frequent to locally common in the Coastal Plain, rare in the Piedmont, and infrequent to locally common in the southwest and west central mountains in VA. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets