Plant Library

Other Names:  Spiraea japonica

Description:

An ultra dwarf, spreading, groundcover shrub presenting soft yellow foliage that intensifies to bright gold later in the season; occasional pink flowers are quite rare; ideal for garden detail use, or massing; needs full sun and well-drained soil

Ornamental Features

Golden Carpet Spirea features subtle clusters of pink flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to mid summer. It has yellow foliage with hints of gold which emerges coppery-bronze in spring. The small serrated pointy leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. The red stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Golden Carpet Spirea is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Golden Carpet Spirea is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Golden Carpet Spirea will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.

Golden Carpet Spirea makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.