Family:  Rosaceae
Light:  Full sun
Height:  2-3'
Spacing:  2-4'
Blooms:  Showy, red, late Spring
Foliage:  Deciduous, narrow, initially pinkish turning to lime-green, turns to coppery-orange in Fall
Soil:  Well-drained, highly acidic, neutral, drought tolerant
Water:  Low, more in Summer
Uses:  Xeriscaping, landscaping, hedges,  borders, foliage, butterfly garden, cut flowers, cottage, foundation, Summer interest, Fall interest
Propagation:  Woody stem cuttings

Comments:  Spiraea x bumalda 'Gold Flame' or Japanese Meadowsweet or Japanese Spirea or Maybush or Spiraea japonica is a deciduous shrub with a moderate, upright, dense, mounding growth habit.  In late Spring, long blooming, showy red blossoms appear attracting many butterflies and bees.  Florists are delighted with the beautiful cut flowers.  Spiraea x bumalda 'Gold Flame' has attractive narrow foliage that starts out pinkish then turning to lime-green.  Gold Flame Japanese Meadowsweet is easily propagated from woody stem cuttings  It performs best in well-drained, highly acidic to neutral soil.  It is low maintenance and tolerates droughty conditions.  Increase watering in Summer.  Mass plant Gold Flame Japanese Spirea for a beautiful hedge or as border plants.  Use it in foundation planting or in a cottage setting, contrasting them with some evergreens to bring out its remarkable foliage.  Remove spent blossoms to promote extra blooms.  Give Gold Flame Maybush a good groom in late Fall or Spring for a neat compact appearance.   Spiraea japonica makes splendid foliage plants.  In the Fall its foliage turns to a delightful coppery-orange, adding much needed colors to the Fall landscape.   Spiraea x bumalda ' Gold Flame' is an attention getter.

USDA Zones:  3-8