Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Cherry On Top'

Sorbaria sorbifolia ‘Cherry On Top®’: Golden Foliage, White Plumes, Winter-Red Seedheads

A Bloomin’ Easy® favourite for long-season colour, Sorbaria sorbifolia ‘Cherry On Top®’ brings bright golden foliage that instantly lifts borders and shrub beds from spring onward. In summer, airy white plumes rise above the leaves, adding a soft, frothy bloom display that looks beautiful in mass plantings. After flowering, red seed pods develop and hold well into winter, extending the season of interest long after the plumes fade. With a naturally mounded shape, it stays full and tidy with minimal fuss.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 120–150 cm
• Spread: 120–150 cm
• Flower Colour: White
• Flowering Period: Summer
• Foliage: Golden deciduous foliage
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil, adaptable in average garden conditions

Uses and Benefits: An excellent choice for brightening mixed shrub borders, foundation plantings, and landscape beds where foliage colour needs to last. ‘Cherry On Top®’ is especially effective as a repeating accent to create a consistent ribbon of gold through a planting, and the white summer plumes add a light, textural layer that pairs well with both bold and fine-leaved shrubs. Leave the seedheads standing for winter structure and an extra note of colour when the garden is resting.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for the brightest foliage, with part shade suitable in warmer exposures. Water regularly during the first growing season, then provide extra moisture during prolonged dry periods for best leaf quality. Mulch helps conserve moisture and keep weeds down. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain a compact mound and encourage vigorous new growth, and remove spent flower plumes if you prefer a cleaner look before seed pods develop.

History: Sorbaria sorbifolia, often called false spirea, is valued for bold foliage and plume-like summer flowers. ‘Cherry On Top®’ was selected for its vivid golden leaves and showy red seed pods that extend ornamental interest into winter, offering a colourful, garden-friendly shrub in the Bloomin’ Easy® collection.

Final Thoughts: For dependable structure with bright foliage and a strong summer-to-winter finish, ‘Cherry On Top®’ is an easy way to add light, texture, and lasting seasonal detail to the landscape.