Japanese spirea Spiraea japonica 'Gold Mound'

'Goldmound Spirea' is a cultivar deciduous shrub in the Roseaceae (rose) family with characteristically golden colored leaves.  It is a hybrid cross between S. japonica ‘Alpina’ and S. japonica ‘Goldflame’. 

Compact in habit, this shrub boasts showy small pink flowers that appear in late spring and attract butterflies.  Plant in the full sun, in moist well-drained soils.  It will tolerate very light shade and a wide range of soils but prefers organically rich loams.  Prune in the late winter to early spring as flowers appear on new wood.  Removing the faded flowers will promote additional blooms.  

Spreading by suckers and its self-seeding tendencies can lead to the plant spreading to locations other than the intended area.  

Its chartreuse leaves make an excellent contrast to other landscape plants and it can be used as a specimen, planted in small groups in a shrub border, along a foundation or as a low hedge.  Plant in large containers on a patio or use in a cottage or rock style garden.  This plant is resistant to damage by deer.  Propagate by dividing the root ball in the spring or fall or by soft wood cuttings in the summer.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. 

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Spiraea japonica.