Empire® Northern Lights™ Spirea

Empire® Northern Lights™ Spirea features terminal clusters of delicate 5-petal, fuchsia-pink florets supported by tricolored foliage that changes from shades of red to yellow and then to green. With its showy flowers blooming intermittently from spring until early summer and its variegated foliage changing colors from spring through fall, this dependable perennial shrub offers interest three seasons out of four. Otherwise known as Spiraea japonica Empire® Northern Lights™ ('DAVCOP01') and Japanese Meadowsweet, this ornamental shrub is cold hardy in zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators including butterflies and bees. Working well in beds, foundations, hedges, and containers, Empire® Northern Lights™ Spirea adds color, height, and texture to landscapes, patios, decks, and porches.

Possessing a compact, upright, mounding habit, Empire® Northern Lights™ Spirea reaches a maximum height and spread of 3 to 4 feet. Disease resistant, deer resistant, and drought tolerant, this spirea poses minimal problems. Adding low maintenance and easy to grow to its long list of positives, this shrub is the perfect choice for any newbie gardener wanting to enhance a landscape without a lot of effort involved. 

Empire® Northern Lights™ Spirea Care

Plant Empire® Northern Lights™ in spring or fall in full sun. Select a site with loamy, neutral, moist soil that drains well. Dig a hole the same height as the root ball but twice its width. Amend the soil if needed with compost. After planting, apply a couple of inches of mulch to prevent water loss. Provide this shrub one inch of water weekly to get it off to a good start. After this perennial is established, water only when the top one inch of soil is dry. Fertilize Empire® Northern Lights™ annually with a balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer every spring.

Prune Empire® Northern Lights™ after this shrub has finished blooming. Trim dead, diseased, and/or damaged stems. Trim crossed stems to improve air circulation in the inner parts of the shrub. Remove up to one-third of the branches at the base.

Empire® Northern Lights™ Spirea Spacing

Plant Empire® Northern Lights™ in groups to form hedges and screens. This ornamental can also be used in borders or planted as specimens. Space each shrub 4 feet apart. Plant with companion plants such as clematis, coral bells, hosta, hydrangea, and lavender. This spirea does well in containers. Plant it in a starter pot with a width that is 6 inches greater than the root ball.