Spiraea japonica 'Firelight' (Japanese Spirea)
Japanese Spirea 'Firelight', Japanese Spirea 'Fire Light', Firelight Spirea, Firelight Japanese Spirea, Spiraea bumalda 'Fire Light', Fire Light Japanese Spirea, Fire Light Spirea
One of the most popular golden foliage shrubs, Spiraea japonica 'Firelight' (Japanese Spirea) is a bushy deciduous shrub with bright red-orange ovate leaves in spring, maturing to a soft, luminous yellow that is greener in the heart of the plant. The foliage turns vibrant shades of reddish-purple in the fall. In summer, flat sprays of rosy-pink flowers grace the tips of the branches. Perfect for contrasting and brightening the landscape, this spirea cultivar is a wonderful choice for borders and containers. Great as a low hedge too!
- Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
- A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade as well as a wide range of soil conditions.
- Perfect choice for borders, foundation plantings, cottage gardens, city gardens, rock gardens or containers.
- Attracts butterflies but is ignored by deer.
- Virtually pest and disease free.
- Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed. If overgrown, can be renovated by cutting back hard immediately after flowering.
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or by division in autumn or spring.
- Spiraea japonica species is native to Japan. It can be an aggressive self-seeder and spread in the garden by suckering.
- Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
- Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Spiraea - Spirea |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spacing | 36" – 48" (90cm – 120cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
imarly / 123RF Stock Photo
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Spiraea - Spirea |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spacing | 36" – 48" (90cm – 120cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |