Spiraea japonica "Golden Princess"

• Type: deciduous shrub, summer-flowering spiraea
• Botanical name: Spiraea japonica 'Golden Princess'
• Height and spread: 60–90 cm / up to 1–1.2 m
• Flowering: June–July; bright pink flat heads
• Foliage: reddish-bronze in spring, gold in summer, red and orange in autumn
• Light: full sun (foliage greens up in part shade)
• Soil: any ordinary, moderately fertile, well-drained garden soil
• Hardiness: USDA 3–4 (RHS H6), no winter cover needed in Estonia
• Pruning: early spring, hard – flowers on current-year shoots
• Use: edgings, low hedges, mixed borders, groups, containers
• Size: potted plant

Planting. Japanese spiraea loves sun – only in full sun does the foliage keep its bright colour; in shade it turns greener and flowers less. Any ordinary, moderately fertile garden soil without standing water will do; lighten heavy clay with sand and compost. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and keep the root collar at soil level. Container plants can go in from April to October; for an edging allow 40–60 cm between plants.

Watering and feeding. In the first season water once a week, 5–10 L per plant, more often in hot spells; once established it tolerates short droughts. Feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser for flowering shrubs and once more after the first flush of bloom. A mulch of bark or compost holds moisture.

Care. Japanese spiraea flowers on the current year's shoots, so prune it in early spring (March–April), cutting all stems back to 10–30 cm above the ground. This keeps the shrub dense and the flowering generous. Remove faded flower heads to get a second flush in late summer. No winter protection is needed in Estonia: any frost-damaged tips are simply cut off in the spring prune.

Gardener's tip. Golden foliage looks best beside blue or dark green: combine 'Golden Princess' with blue spruces, junipers or blue perennials such as salvia and catmint.