Spiraea tomentosa
Spiraea tomentosa | steeplebush
Also known as rosy meadowsweet, Spiraea tomentosa is an excellent small shrub for rain gardens, stream banks, pond sides and other sunny, moist locations. With a mature height of 2-4' tall, this species is useful as a low, deciduous hedge or mass planting in moist soils. Given the right site conditions, steeplebush has a long bloom window, producing tall pink flower spikes that attract a diversity of butterflies and bees. Recent UConn research found this species to be extremely drought tolerant once established, making it extremely versatile for use in gardens. Spreads slowly by suckers to form small colonies and is typically not bothered by deer.
Spiraea tomentosa | steeplebush
Also known as rosy meadowsweet, Spiraea tomentosa is an excellent small shrub for rain gardens, stream banks, pond sides and other sunny, moist locations. With a mature height of 2-4' tall, this species is useful as a low, deciduous hedge or mass planting in moist soils. Given the right site conditions, steeplebush has a long bloom window, producing tall pink flower spikes that attract a diversity of butterflies and bees. Recent UConn research found this species to be extremely drought tolerant once established, making it extremely versatile for use in gardens. Spreads slowly by suckers to form small colonies and is typically not bothered by deer.
Spiraea tomentosa | steeplebush
Also known as rosy meadowsweet, Spiraea tomentosa is an excellent small shrub for rain gardens, stream banks, pond sides and other sunny, moist locations. With a mature height of 2-4' tall, this species is useful as a low, deciduous hedge or mass planting in moist soils. Given the right site conditions, steeplebush has a long bloom window, producing tall pink flower spikes that attract a diversity of butterflies and bees. Recent UConn research found this species to be extremely drought tolerant once established, making it extremely versatile for use in gardens. Spreads slowly by suckers to form small colonies and is typically not bothered by deer.
HABIT
Height: 2-3’
Bloom Time: mid- to late summer
SITE CONDITIONS
Light: full sun, pat shade
Soil: medium-wet, average, medium-dry, dry
CULTIVATION TIPS
Establishment: easy, will spread slowly to form small colonies, can be pruned to 6” each spring to promote shorter plants
Deer Resistance: unknown
INTERACTIONS
Pollinator Support: high
Host Plant For:
CONSERVATION
Native Range: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest
Seed Propagated: yes
The conservation-grade shrubs offered by our nursery are produced by a regional grower with decades of experience growing plants for conservation and restoration. These shrubs are seed propagated from wild seeds collected within ecoregion 59 (Northeastern Coastal Zone) and are regionally-adapted to growing in our area. They are genetically diverse, maintaining the same characteristics of plants growing in the wild.