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Steeplebush

Spiraea douglasii

Last reviewed: September 2026

Steeplebush (Spiraea douglasii)

Toxicity unknown

Steeplebush (Spiraea douglasii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

48"–84" H × 48"–96" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, CO, ID, MT and 2 more states

Pollinators

native bees, butterflies, syrphid flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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An upright, thicket-forming shrub with narrow, toothed leaves and dense, spike-like clusters of rose-pink flowers in summer. It grows in wetlands and along streambanks, spreading by rhizomes to form colonies over time.

Wildlife value

Its abundant summer flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and syrphid flies, and the thickets provide nesting cover for wetland birds.

Common questions

How much sun does Steeplebush need?
Steeplebush grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Steeplebush bloom?
Steeplebush blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Steeplebush native?
Steeplebush (Spiraea douglasii) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 2 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Steeplebush attract?
Steeplebush draws native bees, butterflies, and syrphid flies.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Steeplebush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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