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Steeplebush
Spiraea tomentosa

Steeplebush is a colony-forming shrub with distinctive pink flowers that bloom mid to late summer.

USDA symbol: SPTO2

General Information

Plant TypeShrub
Height4 feet
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureMedium
Bloom ColorPink
Steeplebush (Steeplebush<div><em class="small">Spiraea tomentosa</em></div>)
Photo credit: United States Department of Agriculture (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience4
Salt ToleranceNone
Stress ToleranceAcidic Conditions, Fire Tolerant

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsAugust to September
Larval Host ofBees
Specific Pollinators HostedAndrena melanochroa
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeRain Garden, Restoration
Coefficient of Conservatism4
Herbivore SensitivityLow
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadFast
Soil StabilizationDeep
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Benton, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Lake, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pine, Ramsey, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Washington, Wright
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands