Japanese Spiraea 'Golden Princess'

Japanese spiraea 'Golden Princess' (Spiraea japonica 'Golden Princess') is a little golden princess for the front row. The young leaves open bronze-yellow, in summer the bush settles into an even golden-yellow, and in autumn it dresses in red and bronze tones. Soft pink corymbs set off the gold beautifully.

Use it as a block of colour at the front of a mixed border, in low edgings along paths and in containers. The bush keeps to 0.6-0.9 m in height and 0.9-1.2 m in width, so it is wider than it is tall. Unlike the green-leaved 'Froebelii' or 'Nana', it is grown above all for its foliage rather than its flowers.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: The pink corymbs above golden foliage reliably draw bees and bumblebees - the RHS lists the cultivar under Plants for Pollinators.
• Dimensions: A compact cushion: at 10 years 0.6-0.9 m tall and 0.9-1.2 m wide.
• Hardiness: Winters calmly - it takes down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4).
• Flowering: From May to July soft pink flat corymbs open - light, neat and very welcoming.
• Light: Keep it in full sun: in shade the foliage turns green and loses its golden tone.
• Soil: Takes any garden soil easily - moderately moist and well drained; it opens up best on rich, moist loams.
• Watering: Watering is moderate: the soil should stay evenly moist, without drying out or waterlogging.
• Care: It flowers on the current year's shoots: prune in late winter and simply cut off the spent corymbs.
• Landscape use: Lovely in low borders and hedges, as colour patches in a mixed border and in containers.