Japanese spirea
Spiraea japonica
Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Tough, colorful foliage + summer-long pink blooms. Cut hard each spring for best form.
On the CSU listmedium water2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wideDeer-resistant
Online from $19.99 at 1 retailerPhotos
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
Ready to plant this?
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Spiraea japonica
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Goldflame', 'Magic Carpet', 'Anthony Waterer'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~4 ft apart (3 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Fall color
- Orange, gold
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- pink, red
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- high
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelySelf-seeds in moist conditions; some states list as invasive
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids
- Spider mites in heat
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
- Pruning: hard (rejuvenation).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Japanese spirea good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Japanese spirea is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Japanese spirea?
- The main things to know: Self-seeds in moist conditions; some states list as invasive
- How big does Japanese spirea get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Japanese spirea?
- Space Japanese spirea about 4 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 3 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Japanese spirea hardy on the Front Range?
- Japanese spirea is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Japanese spirea need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Japanese spirea grow?
- Japanese spirea is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does Japanese spirea turn in fall?
- Japanese spirea turns orange and gold in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Japanese spirea native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Japanese spirea deer-resistant?
- Japanese spirea is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Japanese spirea a good firewise plant near the house?
- Japanese spirea is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Japanese spirea prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Japanese spirea can be affected by aphids and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
- How long does Japanese spirea bloom?
- Japanese spirea blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
