If Astilbe were a native shrub, it’d probably be Steeplebush! Spiraea tomentosa is a deciduous, multi-stemmed, suckering species that is indigenous to a large portion of eastern North America, specifically wet meadows, boggy areas, marshes, low-lying fields, and along bodies of freshwater. Its upright, soft-to-hot pink, candelabra-like inflorescences are bested by few other flowering native shrubs, and most resemble the tightly packed panicles of Astilbe family members. The flowers, which bloom on new wood, are highly attractive to various native pollinators, primarily butterflies, and bloom quite late in the summer from August to September. Throughout the growing season, the small, dark green foliage provides a lacy texture in the backdrop of the landscape. Spiraea tomentosa foliage has slightly hairy undersides, which helps to identify this species in its natural habitat. Spiraea tomentosa is also notably one of the larval hosts for the New England Buck moth, as well as the Spring Azure butterfly.  

• Category: Woody Ornamentals
• Hardiness Zone: 3
• Height: 3 Feet
• Spread: 4 Feet
• Bloom Color: Pink