Spiraea japonica 'Double Play Candy Corn’

Spiraea japonica ‘Double Play® Candy Corn®’: A Three-Colour Foliage Firework

A Proven Winners® Double Play® series favourite for nonstop leaf colour, Spiraea japonica ‘Double Play® Candy Corn®’ puts on a show from the moment it leafs out. In spring, new growth emerges bright candy-apple red, then matures to a bold yellow while fresh tips keep arriving in brilliant orange all season. Red-violet blooms add a punch of contrast in late spring into early summer, hovering neatly above the glowing foliage. Compact, mounded, and naturally tidy, it delivers big colour in a small, easy-to-place shrub.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–60 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm
• Flower Colour: Red-violet
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Spring foliage emerges candy-apple red, matures to bold yellow, with continuous brilliant orange new growth
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; adaptable in average garden conditions

Uses and Benefits: Perfect for brightening foundation beds, edging pathways, and adding a lively mid-border layer, ‘Double Play® Candy Corn®’ brings dependable colour even when flowers are not the main event. Use it in repeats for a cheerful ribbon effect, or as a compact focal point where the shifting foliage can be appreciated up close. Its neat, mounded habit keeps it looking intentional in both modern and cottage-style plantings, and the blooms support pollinators during its spring-to-early-summer display.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for the strongest foliage colour, with part shade acceptable in hotter sites. Water regularly during the first growing season, then water during extended dry spells for best performance. Prune in late winter or early spring to refresh the plant and encourage vigorous new growth, and shear lightly after flowering if you want an extra-crisp outline. A thin layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and keeps the root zone cool.

History: Part of the Proven Winners® Double Play® series, ‘Double Play® Candy Corn®’ was selected to deliver intense, multi-season foliage colour on a compact, landscape-friendly plant. Its signature red-to-yellow-to-orange progression gives gardeners a reliable way to add high-impact colour without relying on a short bloom window.

Final Thoughts: If you want a small shrub that stays bright and busy all season, ‘Double Play® Candy Corn®’ brings bold, shifting colour that keeps borders looking fresh from spring right through fall.