Hardhack Steeplebush

Hardhack Steeplebush Spirea tomentosa Full sun; wet to medium moisture level; best in not too rich soil and grows in medium loams to fine sands, silt loams, wet clays, organic peats and mucks; moderately acid pH. 2-5 feet height by 2-5 feet spread; blooms July to September; pink to rosy purple flowers; dark red to chocolate brown seed capsules arranged in groups of 5 and persisting until late March. Growth Rate:  Fast.  Spreads by suckering. Maintenance:  Occasional disease and insect problems.  Easy to grow.  Hard prune every few years when plant is dormant. Propagation:  Easy from cuttings or from seed Native Region:  Cumberland Plateau Small, deciduous, mound-shaped shrub with reddish bark.  Very pretty in flower but pretty nondescript the rest of the year.  Tough, resilient, fast-growing shrub.  Gets its name from the narrow, pointed flowers on stiff canes.  Occurs naturally in swamps, pond shores and wet meadows.  Intermediate wildlife value.  Attracts bees and butterflies. shrub;sun;wet;clay shrub;sun;wet;loam shrub;sun;wet;sand shrub;sun;medium;clay shrub;sun;medium;loam shrub;sun;medium;sand

Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery https://www.prairiemoon.com/