Vick, Albert F. W.
Spiraea tomentosa L.
Steeplebush
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
This mound-shaped,
deciduous shrub forms a thicket of erect, slender, wand-like, unbranched stems, 3-6 ft. tall. Dense, erect, plumes of pink to rose-purple flowers occur terminally. The orange to reddish-brown
bark is exfoliating and the fall foliage is yellow. An erect
shrub with dense, steeple-shaped, branched clusters of pink flowers.
A similar species, the pink-flowered Japanese Spiraea (
S. japonica) from Asia, differs from Steeplebush in having flat-topped clusters of flowers and smooth leaves; since its introduction into North America, it has invaded a broad area, from Ontario and Michigan east to Maine and south to Georgia, Tennessee, and Illinois.
Image Gallery:
6 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Shrub Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Brown
Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI
Canada: NB ,
NS ,
ON ,
PE ,
QC Native Distribution: N.S. & N.B. to Que. & e.c. MN, s. to NC, MS & AR
Native Habitat: Wet prairies & meadows; marshes; roadsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Wet, moderately acid, soils.
Conditions Comments: Steeplebush needs sun; it will dwindle in shade.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Intermediate.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Columbia silkmoth
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Spiraea tomentosa is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-12-09
