How to Grow Golden Spirea - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Golden spirea is a plant. It has long, thin leaves and small yellow flowers. It grows in the wild in Asia and Europe.

How to Grow Golden Spirea - Plant Care & Tips

Popular name

  • Bridalwreath spirea
  • Japanese spirea
  • Vanhoutte spirea
  • Snowmound spirea
  • Flowering almond

Common Knowledge

  • Golden Spirea is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 3m tall.
  • It has ovate to lanceolate leaves with toothed margins and small yellow flowers borne in clusters.
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (having both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees.
  • The plant is self-fertile.
  • Golden Spirea is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa.
  • It has been introduced to North America and Australia.
  • The shrub prefers full sun and well-drained soils.
  • It is tolerant of urban pollution.
  • Golden Spirea is susceptible to powdery mildew, leaf spot and aphids.
  • It is a popular ornamental plant.

Related plant:
Golden Duranta

Planting Process

  1. For golden spirea, first step is to find a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil.
  2. Prepare the soil by digging a hole twice the width and depth of the plant’s root ball.
  3. loosen the roots of the plant and place it in the hole.
  4. Fill in around the plant with the excavated soil, and firm it gently.
  5. Water the plant deeply immediately after planting.
  6. Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around the plant, keeping it away from the stem.
  7. Golden spirea typically doesn’t need much fertilizer, but you can feed it once a year in early spring with a general purpose fertilizer.
  8. To encourage bushier growth, you can prune golden spirea in late winter or early spring.
  9. To keep your plant healthy and free from pests and diseases, provide it with proper care throughout the growing season.
  10. Enjoy the beautiful blooms of golden spirea in late spring or early summer!

Related plant:
Leycesteria Formosa Golden Lanterns

The Soil

About soil condition, The golden spirea prefers well-drained soil and does not tolerate wet conditions. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including both alkaline and acidic soils.

About light

Just like other sun-loving plants, golden spirea needs about six hours of direct sunlight each day to maintain its vibrant color. If you grow golden spirea in too much shade, the leaves will turns its characteristic greenish-yellow hue. To keep your plant healthy and prevent it from becoming leggy, make sure to prune it regularly.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for growing golden spirea is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant can also tolerate slightly cooler or warmer conditions, but it will not thrive in extreme heat or cold. When choosing a location for your golden spirea, make sure to choose an area that receives full sun or partial shade.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40% to 60%. The plant does best in an environment where there is some humidity, but not too much. The leaves of the plant will start to turn brown and drop off if the humidity is too low. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to yellow and drop off.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, this kind of plant does best with low nitrogen levels. However, too little nitrogen will lead to fewer flowers. The best time to fertilize is in early spring, before new growth begins. You can also give your plant a second fertilizer application in mid to late summer. When applying fertilizer, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. As for watering, golden spirea is drought tolerant once established. However, during the first growing season, it's important to keep the root system moist. Water deeply and regularly, giving the plant 1 to 2 inches of water per week. After the first year, you can reduce watering to once a week or as needed.

Light requirement

Pruning golden spirea is essential to keeping the plant looking its best. Pruning also helps to encourage new growth, which is necessary for the plant to stay healthy and thrive. The best time to prune golden spirea is in the spring, after the plant has flowered.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is by seed, division, or softwood cuttings. Seed germination is poor, and division or cuttings are the best methods for propagate this plant. Division can be done in early spring, and cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate during the spring and summer months. However, if the plant receives enough water, it can continue to grow throughout the year. The average plant can grow to about 6 feet tall, but some plants have been known to reach up to 10 feet tall.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot. These can all be prevented by proper cultural care, including spacing plants properly to promote good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Fungicide applications may also be necessary to prevent or control these problems.

List to Know

  • Make sure to plant golden spirea in an area that gets full sun.
  • Golden spirea prefers well-drained soil.
  • Space plants several feet apart to allow for good airflow.
  • Prune plants regularly to encourage new growth.
  • Fertilize plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Keep an eye out for pests and diseases. Treat immediately if found.
  • Water plants regularly during dry periods.
  • Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming.
  • Cut back plants after flowering to tidy up the appearance.
  • Overwinter plants indoors in a cool, dry location if necessary.

You May Like

  • Golden Aster (Chrysopsis pilosa)
  • Goldenauria (golden-flowered plant, blackened)
  • Goldenbower (golden-flowered plant, blackened)
  • Goldenbrier (golden-flowered plant, blackened)
  • Goldencrest (golden-flowered plant, blackened)
  • Goldendoodle (golden-flowered plant, blackened)
  • Goldenfleece (golden-flowered plant, blackened)
  • Goldenflower (golden-flowered plant, blackened)
  • Goldenfu (golden-flowered plant, blackened)
  • Goldenrod (golden-flowered plant, blackened)

Source:
Goldmound Spirea - Spiraea japonica ‘Goldmound’ - PNW Plants
Japanese Spirea (Spiraea japonica)-Hort Answers - University of ...
Species: Spiraea japonica (or x bumalda) - Cornell University

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category