Spiraea tomentosa

RHS Plant Profile
steeplebush
steeplebush visionspictures.com

Other common names

staple bush, hardhack

Shrubs

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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