Digging deeperPlant Library

Neon Flash Spirea flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

A compact, spreading garden shrub featuring showy flat-topped clusters of fluorescent red flowers over deep green foliage, turning purple in fall; ideal as a compact color accent shrub in the garden, beautiful in groupings; full sun and well-drained soil

Ornamental Features

Neon Flash Spirea is covered in stunning clusters of cherry red flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to early summer. It has attractive forest green deciduous foliage which emerges red in spring. The small serrated pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding coppery-bronze in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Neon Flash Spirea is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Neon Flash Spirea is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Neon Flash Spirea will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.