Source: Steven G Johnson
Plant Names
Spiraea tomentosa
Steeplebush
Spirée Tomenteuse
Synonyms
hardhack
tomentose meadowsweet
spirée rose
thé du Canada
Plant Characteristics
Couleur de floraison: Rose
Bloom Period: Jul - Sep
Hauteur max: 4,0 feet
Max Width: 3,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Vivace
des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
Spreads by rhizome
Facile à germer
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Tolerates salt conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
This plant causes skin rashes
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante
Faits intéressants
Steeplebush has upright, narrow rosy-pink flower spikes that bloom mid to late summer. In its natural setting, Steeplebush grows in swamp, bog and fen margins, wet meadows and along stream and lake shores. It would be a useful shrub choice for shoreline plantings, and other moist native landscapes, although will tolerate average moisture in a garden setting. It is mound forming but would not be suitable for a small garden area.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Oui
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Thrives in Ecozones
- Maritime de l'Atlantique
- Plaines à forêts mixtes
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Spiraea tomentosa
-
Celastrina ladon
Spring Azure - Azur Printanier -
Cingilia catenaria
Chain-dotted geometer - Arpenteuse caténaire -
Olethreutes permundana
Raspberry Leafroller
Specialized Bees Supported by Spiraea tomentosa
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Sorbaria sorbifolia (False spirea)
- Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard)
- Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
- Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)
- Hibiscus (Non-Native Hibiscus)
- Astilbe (Astilbe)
- Berberis (Barberry)
- Melilotus albus (Sweet White Clover)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Surface sow
- Sow by February
- Stratification duration: 60 days
- Self-seeding
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: October
- Harvesting indicator:
- Pods are brown and crisp and starting to open
- Seeds are dark and tiny stem attaching to the main stem is brown
- Seeds easily fall off pod when shaken
- Little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
- Harvesting:
- Secouer le porte-graines dans un sac de papier
- Seed viability test:
- Pas de test requis avant le don
- Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
- Seed storage:
- Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
- Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
- Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.
Canadensis