Spirea Double Play Candy Corn Yellow 3Gal-deer Resistant

Meet the Double Play ‘Candy Corn’ Spirea. We can almost guarantee this will be one of the most interesting plants in your yard. Most people buy Spirea for the flowers, but we recommend this one for the leaves. One of the first to show the new growth emerging in spring, it’s a shocking candy-apple red. As it matures, it turns into a bright pineapple yellow and then settles into a burnt orange in the fall. It literally looks like a bowl of candy corn spilled in your garden. The purple flowers in late spring are just the cherry on top.

Spireas are old favorites in the Mount Airy and Winston-Salem areas because they are survivors. They don’t mind our heavy clay soil, and they are incredibly drought-tolerant once they get their roots established. ‘Candy Corn’ loves our intense North Carolina sun -- in fact, the more sun you give it, the brighter those yellow and orange colors will burn.

Why We Recommend It:

• A Living Mood Ring: You get three different colors on one bush at the same time. Because it pushes out new red growth all season long, you’ll have a mix of red, yellow, and orange foliage from spring until frost. It never looks the same way twice.

• No Pruners Needed: This is a dwarf variety. It stays naturally rounded and compact (usually under 2 feet tall). You won’t have to go out there and chop it back to keep it from taking over the walkway. It behaves itself perfectly.

• Deer Resistant: If the deer in King treat your yard like a salad bar, you need this plant. Spirea is generally considered unappetizing to deer. They might nibble a taste, but they usually leave it alone in favor of tastier snacks.

Best Used For:

• Edging along a sunny sidewalk or driveway.

• "Massing" (planting 3-5 together) for a huge splash of color.

• Contrast (plant it in front of dark green hollies or Loropetalums to make it pop).

• Container gardening.

The Specs:

• Growth Rate: Moderate.

• Mature Size: Petite; 1.5–2.5 ft tall x 2–3 ft wide.

• Sun/Soil: Full Sun (essential for the yellow color). Tolerates average to clay soil well.

Check out the general technical details on the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, or come by Mitchell’s. Ask us to show you the spirea.