Japanese Spiraea 'Froebelii'

Japanese spiraea 'Froebelii' (Spiraea japonica 'Froebelii') is a shrub that changes outfit three times a season. In spring the young leaves are bronze-red, in summer they turn bluish-green, and in autumn they deepen to burgundy wine tones. At the height of summer flat carmine-red corymbs cover the dense crown.

This is a workhorse of the garden: low clipped hedges along paths, drifts in a shrub border, planting at the foot of a house wall. At 10 years it reaches 1-1.5 m in height and width - noticeably bigger and brighter than the dwarf 'Nana', and a little taller than the similar 'Anthony Waterer'.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: The carmine-red corymbs draw butterflies, while the shrub itself copes calmly with heavy clay, slopes and smoky city air - and deer leave it alone.
• Dimensions: At 10 years it holds 1-1.5 m tall and just as wide - a dense, tidy bush.
• Hardiness: Winters calmly - it takes down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4).
• Flowering: In June-July the bush is covered with carmine-red flat corymbs up to 8 cm - flowering you can see from afar.
• Light: Brightest in full sun; it tolerates light shade, but foliage and flowers are richer in the open.
• Soil: Takes any garden soil easily - moderately moist and well drained; it grows most willingly on moist loams.
• Watering: Watering is moderate, and this cultivar stands heat and drought better than other Japanese spiraeas.
• Care: It flowers on the current year's shoots: shorten the bush in spring and cut off the spent corymbs.
• Landscape use: Fine as a low hedge along paths, in drifts in a shrub border and in underplanting schemes.