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Muller, Thomas L.
Spiraea tomentosa
Spiraea tomentosa L.
Steeplebush
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s): Spiraea tomentosa var. rosea, Spiraea tomentosa var. tomentosa
USDA Symbol: SPTO2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
This mound-shaped, deciduous shrub forms a thicket of erect, slender, wand-like, unbranched stems, 3 to 5 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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Aggregate , Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Brown, aggregated follicles.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Pink , PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WA , WI , WVCanada: 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
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight 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
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
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Columbia silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings. Cuttings do not need a hormone treatment.Seed Treatment: Seeds require no special treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Spiraea tomentosa in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Spiraea tomentosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Spiraea tomentosa
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-11Research By: TWC Staff