Limemound Spirea Spiraea japonica 'Limemound'

Limemound Spirea is a cultivar deciduous shrub in the rose family with lime green colored leaves.  It is a hybrid cross between S. japonica and S. albiflora.  Compact in habit, this shrub boasts showy small pink flowers that appear in late spring and last until mid-summer attracting butterflies.  Plant in the full sun, in rich, 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.  Deadheading will encourage additional blooms.  

Plant this mounding small shrub as a specimen, use it in small groups along a shrub border, as a foundation planting or low hedge.  The lime green leaves look lovely next to the red bricks of a patio or in a cottage or rock garden. 

This plant is resistant to damage by deer.  Propagate by dividing the root fall 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. Can be susceptible to leaf spot, fire blight, scale, aphids, root rot, and powdery mildew.

Its self-seeding and suckering can allow this plant to get out of control if not aggressively monitoring.  

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.