Species › Plants › Steeplebush

Steeplebush

Spiraea tomentosa

UncommonPlant
Illustration of Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa)

Steeplebush is a native shrub named for its steeple-like, pointed spikes of fuzzy pink to rose-purple flowers that bloom in midsummer. Growing 2–5 feet tall in wet, acidic habitats across the northeastern United States, it produces abundant flowers over a long season. The undersides of the leaves are densely covered with rusty-yellow hairs. Steeplebush often grows in boggy meadows and old peat bogs alongside other acid-loving plants.

Habitat
Found in bogs, wet meadows, moist roadsides, and acidic wetland margins in the northeastern United States.
Diet
Flowers attract many native bees and butterflies; provides nesting cover for ground-nesting birds.
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Steeplebush

The best time to see a Steeplebush is July–August, when about 76% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 9,778 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Steeplebush? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Steeplebush sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Steeplebush?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More plants

Stiff Aster
Stiff Aster
Ionactis linariifolius
Stiff Clubmoss
Stiff Clubmoss
Lycopodium annotinum
Stiff Gentian
Stiff Gentian
Gentianella quinquefolia
Stiff Sunflower
Stiff Sunflower
Helianthus pauciflorus
Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
Stoneroot
Stoneroot
Collinsonia canadensis
Stream Orchid
Stream Orchid
Epipactis gigantea
Streambank Wild Hollyhock
Streambank Wild Hollyhock
Iliamna rivularis