Spiraea japonica Double Play Red
Spirea 'Double Play Red' photo courtesy of Proven Winners

Spirea

Spirea 'Double Play Red' is a flower colour breakthrough, the first and only spirea with true red flowers which smother the plant in spring, attracting butterlies. Add in showy dark burgundy spring foliage and you've got the perfect double play! It naturally grows as a small, dense, rounded mound. In the summer, the foliage turns green and endures into autumn. This is  an easy-maintenance shrub,  tolerating drought, wind, poor soils and salt spray. It requires minimal pruning and it is resistant to both deer and disease, and will remain vigorous regardless of tough conditions. 

  • Height: 60 - 91cm - (24-36 in)
  • Spread: 60 - 91cm - (24-36 in)
  • Hardiness: Zone 3
  • Sun or Shade: sun to partial shade
  • Bloom Time: spring to early summer
  • Leaf Colour: burgundy changing to green
  • Bloom Colour: reddish-pink
  • Critter Resistance: deer and rabbits
  • Nature Attraction: bees and butterflies

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Spirea is a popular plant because it is very low maintenance, and 'Double Play Red' is no exception. It naturally takes on a nice, rounded habit without pruning. If you wish, you can give it a trim after the flowers fade, which will encourage even more colorful new growth and heavy repeat flowering. Double Play® spiraea are typically ignored by deer and even rabbits, and are quite drought tolerant after a year or two in the ground.

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