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Spiraea tomentosa

staple bush

Vigorous, deciduous, suckering shrub about 1.2m tall, forming a thicket of upright browish stems, felted when young, with yellowish-green leaves, grey-felted beneath. Purplish-pink flowers in dense, terminal panicles, appear during late summer

Other common names
steeplebush
hardhack
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Green Grey Silver
Summer Purple Pink Yellow Green Grey Silver
Autumn Yellow Grey Silver
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering
Genus

Spiraea are deciduous shrubs, sometimes suckering, with simple leaves and short racemes, panicles or corymbs of small, 5-petalled white or pink flowers in spring or summer

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in late autumn or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens
Pruning

Pruning group 6 for spiraea flowering on current years stems, deadhead after flowering. Keep neat and compact by cutting all stems back to within 30cm of ground level

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to honey fungus

Get involved

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