hardhack

American  

[hahrd-hak] / ˈhɑrdˌhæk /

noun

1. a woolly-leaved North American shrub, Spiraea tomentosa, of the rose family, having short, spikelike clusters of rose-colored flowers.

2. shrubby cinquefoil.

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hardhack British  

/ ˈhɑːdˌhæk /

noun

1. Also called: steeplebush.  a woody North American rosaceous plant, Spiraea tomentosa, with downy leaves and tapering clusters of small pink or white flowers

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Etymology

Origin of hardhack

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15; hard + hack ¹

Example Sentences

Now it is a veritable mixing pat for the autumn colors to come, yellow with goldenrod, blue with asters, purple with Joe-Pye weed, rosy because of the hardhack, and rimmed with delicate gray-white of thoroughwort.

From Old Plymouth Trails by Packard, Winthrop

To be given, in hardhack tea, as occasion may require.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

The lithe red fox glides across the upper pastures and weaves among the hardhack unchallenged, for this is not hunting weather.

From Minstrel Weather by Storm, Marian

The waste lands shine yellow with the blooms of the marching hardhack.

From Minstrel Weather by Storm, Marian

Should a diarrhœa attend the malady, give an occasional drink of hardhack tea.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George