Double Play Red Spirea

Double Play Red Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'SMNSJMFR')

Double Play Red Spirea is a compact, mounded shrub that delivers bold early-season foliage color followed by a heavy flush of vibrant red-toned blooms. It fills in quickly to create a neat, low profile mass that makes beds look finished and intentional. The colorful spring growth adds contrast right away, then the flower clusters keep the garden lively as pollinators move in. Easy care and reliable performance make it a strong option for sunny landscapes where you want consistent color without constant upkeep.

Distinctive Features

This spirea is known for very dark burgundy to purple new growth that matures to a deep green mound, creating a strong foliage contrast through the season. From late spring to early summer, it produces showy, flat-topped clusters in red shades that read as some of the closest to red among commonly grown spireas. The plant naturally grows as a dense, rounded mound, so it stays tidy and landscape-friendly without frequent shaping. Flowers also attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, adding useful garden activity during peak bloom.

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, water regularly to establish, then water during extended dry periods as needed.
• USDA Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
• Habit: Dense, rounded, and mounded.
• Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer.
• Notable Traits: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and often shows good deer resistance.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a low focal point where the dark spring foliage and red-toned blooms can anchor the front of a sunny bed.
• Edging: Line walkways and bed fronts for a tidy border that stays compact and defined.
• Mass Planting: Plant in drifts to create a consistent ribbon of foliage contrast and seasonal flower color.
• Foundation Planting: Place along foundations where a dense mound adds structure without blocking windows.
• Low Hedge: Use in a row for a clean, flowering low hedge with a consistent outline.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Shear lightly after flowering to refresh foliage, keep the mound tight, and encourage additional bloom in many settings.
• 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 to reduce stress.
• 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 Red Spirea?

• Red-Toned Bloom: Showy flower clusters in red shades bring strong late spring to early summer color.
• Dark New Growth: Burgundy to purple spring foliage adds early-season contrast before peak bloom.
• Compact Structure: Dense, rounded habit fits borders, foundations, and small-space landscapes.
• Pollinator Value: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds during the main bloom window.
• Easy Upkeep: Simple pruning keeps it tidy and supports consistent performance year after year.

Double Play Red Spirea is a practical way to add bold foliage contrast and high-impact bloom in a compact footprint. Pair it with gold foliage shrubs, blue-toned perennials, or dark evergreens to make the flower color stand out. With sun, decent drainage, and a quick post-bloom trim, it stays dense, colorful, and dependable.