Double Play^® Candy Corn^® Spirea Spiraea japonica

Bought a QT size of this from Home Dept May 24, 2024, and planted it in the sunniest area in my front yard (with about 4 hours' direct sun), It's the first time I ever planted anything - I was desperate to add some colors to my monotonous evergreen shrubbery bed. I didn't expect much from the tiny plant. But it grew robustly, without much care (a reluctant gardener, I might have forgotten to water it sometimes). After a winter's dormant, it resumed its rapid growth this spring, and has reached almost the full size in two months. The colors from its bloom and leaves have brightened my entire yard. I am as thrilled as a first time gambler who has hit a jackpot. Encouraged, I am thinking about expanding the shrubbery bed in front of my study to make room for more Candy Corn. My only concern is this area might not even get four hours' sun, between the shade from the pines (in the morning) and the shade from the house (in the afternoon). I'll just have to give it a try. Fingers crossed.

I have had a candy corn spireah for 3 years now and it never disappoints . This is such a beautiful small compact shrub. So easy to care for. I'm in NY zone 6a.

I ordered this plant online a couple of years ago. I didn’t realize that being in zone 9b was beyond the recommended area for this plant. It has done extremely well after I moved it to an area that gets afternoon shade. LOVE the color of the foliage and the flowers. My question is about the scrubby tiny branches that develop at the base of the plant. I won’t prune now in December but is it recommended to prune out the scrubby little branches primarily at the base of the plant after it flowers in the spring? Is it better to just leave main branches? I wish Proven Winners would write more detailed instructions for caring for (fertilizing and pruning) our plants after we’ve purchased them.

Love love these shrubs! “Everything and the kitchen sink!” I bought 45 of these plants. Love the fact it’s all that and a bang of color. From the growth of being yellow, new growth being burgundy red and it flowers! OMG! And it’s is a “dwarf” size to accommodate most landscapes. People are literally driving by my property amazed at the POP of color because of these plants! Highly recommend. Also, some comments were about the color…if you are planting in a shade, yes it will be lime green, but if planted in sun (as recommended) they are beautiful in gold/yellow and red colors.

Candy Corn is a real show stopper! Foliage is fabulous nearly all year long and flowers are just icing on the cake! People walking my neighborhood stop and stare! Four season interest great smallish shrub!