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Spiraea douglasii

steeple bush

S. douglasii is a vigorous suckering shrub with oblong leaves, grey-felted beneath, and compact terminal panicles of purplish-pink flowers in early summer

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Purple Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–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

Plant range
N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in most moist soils, tolerant of all but the most extreme conditions. A rampant shrub that in time can form a dense thicket

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or by division in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 2. If overgrown, can be renovated by cutting back hard immediately after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to honey fungus

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