Source: Steven G Johnson
Plant Names
Spiraea tomentosa
Steeplebush
Spirée Tomenteuse
Synonyms
hardhack
tomentose meadowsweet
spirée rose
thé du Canada
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: Pink
Bloom Period: Jul - Sep
Max Height: 4.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Tolerates salt conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates transplantation
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
This plant causes skin rashes
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Atlantic Maritime
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Spiraea tomentosa
-
Celastrina ladon
Spring Azure - Azur Printanier -
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:
- Shake seed head in paper bag
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- 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.