Overview
Uses: Front of the border, low hedges, mass plantings, and outdoor containers.
Benefits: A compact spirea with bright golden foliage that holds its color through summer heat. Pure pink flower clusters bloom from late spring and repeat into late summer, drawing butterflies. Deer resistant and low maintenance.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8
Sun: Full Sun
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Mounding — compact, low mound.
Bloom Color: Pink
Foliage Color: Bright Gold
Mature Height: 18–24 inches
Mature Width: 18–24 inches
Bloom Season: Late spring to late summer
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
A low mound of gold that keeps the front of a bed bright all season.
Gold-leaved shrubs often fade toward green or scorch once summer heat arrives. Double Play® Gold keeps its foliage a clear golden color through the hottest months, so the plant looks as bright in August as it does in May. Set beside dark foliage, blue flowers, or green lawn, it gives a planting an easy point of contrast.
Clusters of pure pink flowers sit on top of the mound from late spring, and the plant keeps producing them into late summer, especially when the first round of spent clusters is trimmed off. Butterflies and bees settle on the flat-topped blooms through the season.
At 18 to 24 inches tall and wide, it is sized for the spots where larger shrubs get in the way: along a walk, at the front of a foundation bed, in a low row along a driveway, or in a patio container. Deer tend to pass it by, which helps in yards where other shrubs get browsed.
Care
Double Play® Gold Spirea Care
Plant in full sun. Strong light keeps the foliage at its brightest gold and produces the most flowers; in shade the leaves turn greener and flowering drops off.
Spirea grows well in average, well-drained garden soil and adapts to a range of soil types, including heavier ground, as long as water does not stand around the roots.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season while roots establish. Established plants tolerate short dry spells but bloom best with regular moisture in summer. A two-inch layer of mulch helps hold that moisture and keep roots cool.
One application of a slow release fertilizer in early spring is plenty for the season.
This spirea flowers on new growth, so you can cut it back by about a third in late winter or early spring without losing any blooms. After the first flush of flowers fades, a light shearing of the spent clusters tidies the mound and encourages the next round.
Growing in Containers
Its compact size makes it a good fit for patio pots and window-side planters. Use a container with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. Container plants dry out faster than plants in the ground, so check moisture often in warm weather, and feed lightly each spring, since frequent watering washes nutrients out of the mix. Roots in containers experience greater cold exposure than roots in the ground. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the Double Play® Gold Spirea for Sale Online?
Our Double Play® Gold Spirea ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with few or no leaves. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Double Play® Gold Spirea Grow?
Expect about 18 to 24 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide at maturity, in a low, rounded mound. Space plants about 18 to 24 inches apart for a continuous low hedge or edging.
Additional Information
What is the botanical name of Double Play® Gold Spirea?
The botanical name is Spiraea japonica Double Play® Gold ‘Yan’. It is part of the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Double Play® series of compact spireas.
What are some common names for this plant?
The species is commonly called Japanese spirea or Japanese meadowsweet.
Is Double Play® Gold Spirea deer resistant?
Yes. Deer generally avoid spirea, which makes it a dependable choice for front-yard beds in areas with regular deer traffic. No plant is completely deer-proof, and hungry deer may still sample new growth in a hard winter. For more options, browse our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens.
Can it be planted as a low hedge?
Yes. Planted in a row about 18 to 24 inches apart, the mounds grow together into a soft, low hedge that edges a walk or driveway without blocking views. Because it flowers on new growth, a spring trim keeps the line even without costing the summer bloom. For taller shrubs to plant behind it, see our Shrubs & Bushes.
