Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa)

Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa)

Steeplebush brings saturated color to the garden. Its dense spikes of dusty pink flowers rise above softly fuzzy foliage, blooming at a time when many shrubs have already finished their show. Despite its more horticultural-style appeal, Steeplebush is still surprisingly underused. It tends to get overlooked because it doesn’t fit the typical shrub mold.. it’s not woody and rigid, and it doesn’t bloom in spring like most ornamental shrubs. Instead, it behaves more like a large, shrubby perennial, bridging the gap between herbaceous plantings and woody structure.

It spreads slowly by rhizomes to form colonies, which makes it especially valuable for stabilizing moist soils while creating a cohesive, natural look. In bloom, it hums with pollinator activity, and even out of flower, the foliage adds a soft, tactile layer that contrasts beautifully with grasses. It works best in rain gardens, low spots with consistent moisture 

Growing Conditions

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Moist to wet, acidic preferred
Moisture: Medium to high
Height: 2–4 feet
Spread: 2–4 feet, spreading gradually by rhizomes
Zones: 3–8
Bloom time: July through September

Wildlife Value

Steeplebush is an excellent late-season nectar source for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its dense growth also provides cover for insects and small wildlife, especially when left standing through winter.

Blooms Alongside

Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Sweet Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum), Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum), Common ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)

For more information, please check out our sizes, pricing and ordering page.