Lemon Princess Spirea

Lemon Princess Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'Lemon Princess')

Lemon Princess Spirea is a compact, mounded shrub that brings bright foliage color to sunny beds from spring through fall. Fresh growth emerges golden, then settles into chartreuse to yellow green tones that keep borders looking clean and energized. From late spring into summer, clusters of pink flowers add a cheerful accent and attract pollinators. It stays manageable, responds well to a quick trim, and is an easy way to add color and structure without taking up much space.

Distinctive Features

This spirea is grown for its vivid foliage, with yellow new growth that holds brighter color longer than many older gold-leaved selections. Flat-topped flower clusters appear in late spring to mid summer in clear pink tones, creating a strong contrast against the light leaves. The habit is compact and mounded, forming a dense outline that looks intentional in both formal and casual plantings. As nights cool, foliage can shift toward warmer golden and orange tones for an attractive seasonal finish.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best for strongest foliage color and flowering, with light shade tolerated.
• Soil: Average to moderately fertile, well-drained soil is ideal, and it adapts 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 4 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically 1.5 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
• Habit: Dense, compact, and mounded.
• Bloom Season: Late spring to mid summer.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a focal point at the front of a sunny bed where the bright foliage can lead the planting and define the edge.
• Edging: Line walkways and bed fronts for a tidy border that stays compact and colorful.
• Foundation Planting: Place along foundations where a low mound adds structure without blocking windows.
• Mass Planting: Plant in drifts to create a bright, uniform ribbon of foliage with pink bloom accents.
• Mixed Borders: Combine with darker evergreens, purple foliage shrubs, or blue-toned perennials to sharpen contrast.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Shear lightly after flowering to encourage fresh growth and maintain a tight mound.
• Renewal: In late winter to early spring, remove a few older stems at the base to refresh vigor and density.
• 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 Lemon Princess Spirea?

• Bright Foliage: Golden to chartreuse leaves keep beds looking lighter and more defined through summer.
• Pink Bloom: Flat-topped pink flower clusters add seasonal color from late spring into summer.
• Compact Size: Small, mounded form fits borders, edging, and foundation plantings without crowding.
• Pollinator Friendly: Flowers attract butterflies and other beneficial visitors during the bloom season.
• Easy Upkeep: Simple trimming and occasional renewal pruning keep it tidy and reliable.

Lemon Princess Spirea is a practical way to add bright foliage color and a steady bloom window in a compact footprint. Pair it with darker companions to make the foliage pop, or repeat it in groups for a clean, unified look. With sun, good drainage, and simple seasonal pruning, it stays dense, colorful, and dependable year after year.