Light
Full sun for the best color; part shade turns it lime-green.
Growing guide · Shrubs
Spiraea × bumalda (S. japonica)
How to grow Japanese Spirea 'Magic Carpet'.
Red new growth, gold leaves, pink flowers.
- Light
- Full sun, part sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Zones
- 4–8
- Size
- 1–3 ft tall, 3–4 ft wide
- Spacing
- 3 ft apart.
- Pets
- Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Water
Water weekly the first season, then in dry spells.
Planting and soil
Plant in spring or fall with the root ball level with the soil.
Feeding
Slow-release shrub fertilizer in spring, if any.
Pruning
Shear after flowering. Cut back by a third in late winter to keep it dense.
Through the year
Red new growth in spring, gold by summer, flowers May to June.
If something's off
Leaf scorch in hot, dry sites. Japanese spirea can seed into natural areas in parts of the East; deadheading helps.
Plays well with
Plant it with friends.
Why we stock it: Foliage and flower color on a small shrub that asks very little.
That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.
Know someone with the right spot? Send them this.
Japanese Spirea 'Magic Carpet'from $62.99 · Arrives alive, or we replace it
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What to plant this week in your zone, every Sunday. New ways to plant and odd tricks that actually work.
Sunday's tip is written for your zone: what to plant this week, and a kit that fits.Set your zone and Sunday's tip gets specific: what to plant this week, and a kit that fits.
Patio pot kit
Balcony Brag
Forty square feet, big opinions.
4 plants · $165.92In a pot, any zone
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Deer-resistant border kit
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Everything in it tastes terrible to deer.
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Office kit
The Desk Set
Three small plants, one desk.
3 plants · $45Indoors, any zone
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Drought garden kit
The Hot, Dry Bank
For the slope the hose doesn't reach.
14 plants · $554.86Zones 5–9
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Mailbox garden kit
The Mailbox Bed
Curb appeal in one afternoon.
8 plants · $159.92Zones 3–10
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Pollinator garden kit
The Pollinator Buffet
Open seating for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
14 plants · $424.86Zones 4–9
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Shade garden kit
Shade Layers
For the spot the sun forgot.
8 plants · $151.92Zones 3–9
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Edible kit · plant this fall
The Snack Garden
Pick it, eat it, walk away.
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