Shrub · North Texas care guide
Spiraea japonica
Nursery Pro tip: Goldmound and Anthony Waterer earn their keep with weeks of bloom.
An easy deciduous shrub with clusters of pink or white flowers in spring and early summer over fine leaves that often emerge gold or red. 'Goldflame' and 'Double Play' types add foliage color; the white bridal-wreath types arch and bloom in early spring on last year's wood.
Full sun to light shade; more sun means more flowers and stronger foliage color. Any drained soil. Space 3 ft apart.
Fall or spring. Hole twice the pot width, ball at grade, native soil, Root Stimulator, mulch.
Weekly the first summer, then every week or two in the heat. It wilts visibly when thirsty, which makes it an easy plant to read.
Light feeding in early spring with a general shrub fertilizer.
Pink summer-blooming types (japonica): cut back by a third to a half in late winter, and shear off spent flowers to get a rebloom. White bridal-wreath types: prune right after they bloom, never in winter, or you'll cut off the flowers.
Aphids on new growth in spring — hose them off. Leaf scorch in a hot west bed with too little water. Can look tired in August; a light shearing and a soak refresh it.
Mixed borders with Knock Out roses, salvia and daylilies; the gold-leaf types glow in front of dark hollies.
Written for Rockwall's black clay, heat and winters by the Landscape Source team. Every yard is different — bring a photo by, or ask LS-Ai, and we'll tailor it to your spot.