Magic Carpet Spirea

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. May grow slightly larger in high quality soils; may be cut back aggressively in spring to maintain size. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape. Pruning time: spring after flowering.

This is an exceptional low growing shrub to brighten and fill in skimpy beds and borders. Guaranteed to add zest to any foundation planting scheme. Use to flesh out contrast at the lawn's edge. Neaten up in front of old shrubs with bare legs. Line them up along driveway or sidewalk for cheerful curb appeal. Sets nicely into foreground of woodlands to bring light to a shaded background. Even works well with spare modern designs needing vividly colored foliage with some seasonal change.

This bright spiraea works perfectly with burgundy foliage for high contrast with Crimson Ruby Japanese Barberry, (Berberis thunbergii 'Criruzam'), Raspberry Tart Coneflower, (Echinacea purpurea 'Raspberry Tart'), Blue Moon Kentucky Wisteria, (Wisteria macrostachya 'Blue Moon') and Pipsqueak Burning Bush, (Euonymus alatus 'Pipzam').

The S. japonica clan is a large group of ornamental shrubs that fall into the Rose Family. It's named for the European species from the Greek speria or wreath attesting to its whip like growths bearing white flowers worn at weddings. But the Japonicas came about far later and first identified by Carl Thunberg, among the earliest western plant hunters to botanize Japan. However, plants were not introduced to the West until about 1870. This golden cultivar was bred by David Tristram at Walburton Nursery in West Sussex, England where it received the coveted Award of Garden Merit

Native Spiraeas of Europe were well known as the source of white flowered wreaths worn by country brides in spring weddings.