Spiraea tomentosa L.
Fully-hardy, small, vigorous, thicket-forming shrub with erect stems, covered in brownish felt when young, coarsely-toothed, ovate leaves, and dense, terminal panicles of purplish-rose flowers in summer. There is also a white form. To 1.5m. [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘In swamps and low ground, Nova Scotia to Manitoba, south to Georgia and Kansas.’ [Britton p.245/1896-98].
Introduced to Europe in 1736. [Don]. Saint-Hilaire Tr. pl.161/1825.
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.934/1850]. One of a number of plants received from Captain Simpson in late 1849 or early 1850, apparently on the same ship as those accompanying Captain P. P. King. The source is unclear. [ML A1980-3].
Notes
Spiraea tomentosa Raf. (1838) = Spiraea douglassii Hook. which see.
Published Feb 06, 2010 - 04:28 PM | Last updated Feb 06, 2010 - 04:33 PM
Spiraea tomentosa L. | Saint-Hilaire Tr. pl.161/1825 | BHL
| Family | Rosaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Eastern North America |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Hardhack, Steeple bush, Silver leaf, White cap, Poor man?s soap |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Spiraea tomentosa |
| Confidence level | high |