Double Play Candy Corn Spirea

Double Play Candy Corn Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'NCSX1')

Double Play Candy Corn Spirea is a compact, mounded shrub that delivers bold foliage color changes from spring through fall in a space-saving size. New growth starts bright red, then shifts to yellow, while fresh tips keep emerging in orange tones through the season for a layered, high-contrast look. In late spring to early summer, rich pinkish purple flower clusters add another hit of color and bring in pollinators. It is easy to maintain, dependable in sun, and a strong choice when you want long-running color without constant attention.

Distinctive Features

This Japanese spirea stands out for its multi-season foliage display, with red spring growth maturing to yellow and continuing to push orange new growth through summer and into fall. Flat-topped clusters of pinkish purple to deep purple flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, creating a strong contrast against the warm foliage tones. The plant forms a dense, naturally rounded mound that stays tidy in the landscape with minimal shaping. Its combination of color, compact size, and steady performance makes it especially effective in high-visibility beds.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part sun for best foliage color and flowering.
• Soil: Average, well-drained soil, adaptable to many garden soils when drainage is reasonable.
• Water: Medium moisture to establish, then moderate watering, with improved drought tolerance once established.
• USDA Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically 1.5 to 2 feet tall and 1.5 to 2.5 feet wide.
• Habit: Dense, compact, and mounded.
• Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer.
• Deer: Often shows good deer resistance in many landscapes.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a focal point at the front of a sunny bed where the red to yellow foliage shift and purple blooms can lead the planting.
• Edging: Line walkways and bed fronts for a tidy border that stays compact and colorful.
• Mass Planting: Plant in drifts to create a bright, uniform ribbon of foliage color that holds through the season.
• Foundation Planting: Place along foundations where a dense mound adds definition without blocking windows.
• Low Hedge: Use in a row to form a low, clean hedge with strong seasonal color.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Shear lightly after flowering to refresh foliage color, encourage dense regrowth, and keep the mound tight.
• Renewal: In late winter to early spring, remove a few older stems at the base to maintain vigor and density over time.
• Watering: Water consistently during the first growing season, then water during prolonged drought as needed.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly in spring only if needed, because excess fertility can reduce flowering and loosen habit.
• Mulching: Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch pulled back from the stems.

Why Choose Double Play Candy Corn Spirea?

• Season-Long Foliage Color: Red spring growth matures to yellow with ongoing orange new growth for continuous contrast.
• Compact Size: Dense, mounded habit fits borders, foundations, and small-space landscapes.
• Rich Bloom Color: Pinkish purple to deep purple flower clusters add a bold late spring to early summer display.
• Easy Upkeep: Simple post-bloom trimming keeps it tidy and supports fresh growth.
• Landscape Reliability: Adaptable performance in sun with reasonable drainage makes it a dependable choice.

Double Play Candy Corn Spirea is a practical way to bring bright, changing foliage color and a strong bloom moment into compact plantings. Pair it with dark evergreens, purple foliage companions, or blue-toned perennials to sharpen the contrast. With sun, good drainage, and a quick seasonal trim, it stays dense, colorful, and reliable year after year.