Steeplebush, Rose spirea, Menzies' spirea
Spiraea douglasii

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Spiraea douglasii is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2.5

Where it is found

Almost always found in wet soils in redwood and red fir forests from sea level to elevations of 2100 metres.

Western N. America. Rarely naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

An infusion of the seeds has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea.

Other

Rating:

The branches have been used to make brooms.

How it is grown

Tolerates most soils, but prefers a good loamy soil, abundant moisture and full sunlight. Prefers a moist lime-free soil, plants quickly become chlorotic on chalk soils. A very cold hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. A rampant suckering shrub, it quickly produces dense thickets and can be used for large-scale naturalistic plantings. It is apt to get thin and poor unless divided up fairly regularly and replanted in fairly good soil.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if possible. It is likely to require stratification before it germinates, so stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as you receive it. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a light sandy soil a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15cm long, October/November in an outdoor frame. Another report says that September is a good time to do this. Division of suckers in early spring. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. menziesii.