Some plants don’t need flowers to give them a reason to show off! Spiraea ‘Goldfire’ is like the Joseph’s cloak of the plant world, cycling through a colour palette of yellow, orange and red! It turns out that it has beautiful flowers too. I need a lay down, this plant seems to have it all! Highly recommended!
How to grow Spiraea ‘Goldfire’:Flowering time: April to May Location: Borders, patio pots, low hedging Soil: Moist, but well-drained soil Light: Sun, for best colour Hardy: Survives down to -20C! Care: Prune faded flowers immediately after blooming period Size: 75cm (30″) height, 75cm (30″) in spread |
How was this plant created?
The founder Dr Kong Young Park had to look twice when he first spotted ‘Goldfire’ growing by the side of the road. Usually, yellow leaves mean a plant is unhappy or sick. But, regardless, this plant caught his eye and he grew it on at his nursery. Dr Park found that this Spiraea had a technicolour colour change up it’s sleeve too, going from yellow to orange to green, then back to a nice auburn red for the autumn! That red flame then turns into December.
What’s different about this plant?
‘Goldfire’ isn’t just selected for colour, but also strength and a range of resistances. It can withstand pollution, it copes in high heat conditions, it’s also very hardy and will shrivel if dry or waterlogged. The foliage is a spectacle, but it’s also accompanied by spring blooms, which have a sweet fragrance.
Legend has it you can cut a few bare stems in January, keep them indoors and they’ll create leaves and lovely fragrance in a vase.
Where can you plant Spiraea ‘Goldfire’?
A very tolerant plant, just give it a well-drained soil, sun or shade. Plants are only 75cm x 75cm, so pretty versatile when it comes to containers, or low informal hedging and spot planting.
Flowers occur on second-year branches in early spring. Prune immediately after the flowers have faded.
Where can you buy this plant?
This Plantipp variety will soon be available in garden centres across Europe, and by mail order right now from RHS Plants.
Plant of the Month is sponsored by Plantipp, a company based in The Netherlands who handle the introduction of new plants into Europe.
See every Plant of the Month here.
Leave a Reply
Carole Sinclair
Michael I went onto RHS Plants. They didn’t have Spirea Goldfire only Goldflame which has sold out.