Steeplebush
Scientific Name: Spiraea tomentosa L.
Synonyms: Spiraea tomentosa L. var. <i>rosea</i> (Raf.) Fernald, Spiraea tomentosa L. var. <i>tomentosa </i>
Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Rosidae / Rosales / Rosaceae / Spiraea L./ Spiraea tomentosa L.
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Usda Symbol | SPTO2 |
| Group | Dicot |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Growth Habits | Shrub |
| Native Locations | SPTO2 |
Plant Guide
Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Steeplebush is planted.
Plant Traits
Growth Requirements
| Temperature, Minimum (°F) | -33 |
|---|---|
| Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
| Anaerobic Tolerance | Low |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | Medium |
| Cold Stratification Required | Yes |
| Drought Tolerance | Medium |
| Fertility Requirement | Low |
| Fire Tolerance | Medium |
| Frost Free Days, Minimum | 110 |
| Hedge Tolerance | Medium |
| Moisture Use | Low |
| pH, Maximum | 7.0 |
| pH, Minimum | 4.5 |
| Planting Density per Acre, Maxim | 4800 |
| Planting Density per Acre, Minim | 1800 |
| Precipitation, Maximum | 60 |
| Precipitation, Minimum | 30 |
| Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 14 |
| Salinity Tolerance | None |
| Shade Tolerance | Intolerant |
Morphology/Physiology
| Bloat | None |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | None |
| Resprout Ability | Yes |
| Shape and Orientation | Erect |
| Active Growth Period | Spring and Summer |
| C:N Ratio | High |
| Coppice Potential | No |
| Fall Conspicuous | Yes |
| Fire Resistant | No |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Flower Conspicuous | Yes |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Porosity Summer | Dense |
| Foliage Porosity Winter | Moderate |
| Foliage Texture | Medium |
| Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | No |
| Nitrogen Fixation | None |
| Low Growing Grass | No |
| Lifespan | Moderate |
| Leaf Retention | No |
| Known Allelopath | No |
| Height, Mature (feet) | 4.0 |
| Height at 20 Years, Maximum (fee | 4 |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Growth Form | Rhizomatous |
| Fruit/Seed Color | Brown |
Reproduction
| Vegetative Spread Rate | Slow |
|---|---|
| Small Grain | No |
| Seedling Vigor | Low |
| Seed Spread Rate | Moderate |
| Fruit/Seed Period End | Fall |
| Seed per Pound | 1100000 |
| Propagated by Tubers | No |
| Propagated by Sprigs | No |
| Propagated by Sod | No |
| Propagated by Seed | Yes |
| Propagated by Corm | No |
| Propagated by Container | Yes |
| Propagated by Bulb | No |
| Propagated by Bare Root | Yes |
| Fruit/Seed Persistence | Yes |
| Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Summer |
| Fruit/Seed Abundance | Medium |
| Commercial Availability | Routinely Available |
| Bloom Period | Summer |
| Propagated by Cuttings | Yes |
Suitability/Use
| Veneer Product | No |
|---|---|
| Pulpwood Product | No |
| Protein Potential | Low |
| Post Product | No |
| Palatable Human | No |
| Palatable Graze Animal | Low |
| Palatable Browse Animal | Low |
| Nursery Stock Product | Yes |
| Naval Store Product | No |
| Lumber Product | No |
| Fodder Product | No |
| Christmas Tree Product | No |
| Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |
