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Spiraea tomentosa Linnaeus. Common name: Hardhack, Steeplebush, Rosy Meadowsweet. Phenology: (Jun-) Jul-Sep; Sep-Oct. Habitat: Bogs, wet meadows. Distribution: NS west to MN, south to SC, ne. GA, c. TN, ne. AL, and AR.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy : = Ar, GW2, Il, K4, Mi, Mo3, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S13, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WV; > Spiraea subcanescens Rydb. — S; > Spiraea tomentosa L. — S; > Spiraea tomentosa L. var. rosea (Raf.) Fernald — C, Can, F, FNA9, G, Robertson (1974); > Spiraea tomentosa L. var. tomentosa — C, Can, F, FNA9, G, Robertson (1974). Basionym: Spiraea tomentosa L. 1753

Links to other floras: > Spiraea tomentosa var. tomentosa - FNA9; > Spiraea tomentosa var. rosea - FNA9

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW
  • Great Plains: FACW
  • Midwest: FACW
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACW

Heliophily : 8

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image of plant© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Collectors SOS | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

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Height: 2-4 ft.: width 3-6 ft.

plant sale text: Hardhack is a southeastern native shrub that is easy to grow. Its arching branches bear dense pyramidal clusters of small pink flowers, opening from top to bottom. Its flowers are very attractive to butterflies as well as other pollinating insects. The underside of each leaf is covered with whitish woolly hairs, hence its species name tomentosa. Hardhack can be found growing along stream banks and on roadside swales in many counties in North Carolina. Over time each shrub grows into a thicket of upright stems. The Spiraea genus supports up to 86 lepidoptera species.

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native range: eastern North America



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