Deciduous shrub – Candy Corn Spirea

Candy corn spirea

Botanical name: spirea japonica 

Beginner friendly?: 

Average size at maturity: about 3 ft in height and in spread 

Bloom time: spring 

Hardy zone: zones 4-8

Flower color: pink/purple

Foliage color: green/red/orange/yellow

Growth rate: grows about half of an inch per year

Pruning instructions: prune in the late winter/early spring 

Propagation methods: propagate with cuttings 

Landscape use: borders, hedges, massplanting, edging, focal point

Light needs: at least 4 hours of sun per day 

Special features: deer resistant, low maintenance, drought tolerant, long lasting blooms 

Watering instructions: allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use an all purpose plant food liquid fertilizer once a month from the early spring through the early summer 

Best time to plant: spring or fall 

Best type of soil: loam or sand 

Companion plants: hydrangeas, ferns, azaleas, camellias 

Toxicity level: toxic for humans and pets if ingested 

Invasive species: no