Species

Spiraea japonicaJapanese Spirea

15 other cultivars

shrub

Northern Lights Spirea

Spiraea japonica 'Northern Lights'

Same species

Species

Spiraea japonicaJapanese Spirea

15 other cultivars

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

24 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

Deciduous shrub

Native To

Japan, Korea, China

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Spiraea japonica cultivars are popular deciduous shrubs valued for their ease of care, summer flowers, and colorful foliage. They typically have a compact, mounding habit. 'Northern Lights' is a compact variety with unique foliage that emerges with coppery-orange and yellow tones, maturing to a bright chartreuse-yellow, and taking on orange-red hues in fall. It has pink summer flowers.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Northern Lights Spirea is a season-long color factory, with foliage that transitions from coppery-orange in spring to bright chartreuse in summer and finally to reddish tones in fall, complemented by pink summer flowers.

Its small, manageable size makes it perfect for a wide range of applications, from container gardening and small-space landscapes to edging pathways and creating low-maintenance mass plantings.

The clusters of pink flowers provide a good source of nectar for butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects during the summer months.

Planting

How to Grow

Select a location in full sun for best foliage color.
It adapts to average, well-drained garden soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and just as deep.
Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the crown is level with the soil.
Backfill with soil, firm gently, and water well.
Apply a layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture.

Pro Tip

A hard pruning in late winter, cutting back to 4-6 inches, will encourage the most vibrant new foliage growth.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide at least 6 hours of sun for the best yellow foliage.
Prune in late winter to encourage colorful new growth.
Water regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
Deadhead after the first bloom to promote a second, smaller bloom.

Don't

Do not prune after early spring, as this will remove flower buds.
Avoid planting in deep shade, where foliage will turn green and growth will be sparse.
Don't let the soil dry out completely.
Avoid planting in poorly drained, soggy soil.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Fertilize
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Colorful border edgingBright accent in mass plantingsVibrant container specimen

Companion Plants

Heuchera 'Palace Purple' Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' Sedum 'Angelina' Hosta 'Halcyon' Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Northern Lights Spirea questions

What zones can Northern Lights Spirea grow in?

Northern Lights Spirea is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Northern Lights Spirea deer resistant?

Yes — Northern Lights Spirea is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Northern Lights Spirea bloom?

Northern Lights Spirea typically blooms in early summer through mid-summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Northern Lights Spirea need full sun?

Northern Lights Spirea does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.