Spiraea Double Play Candy Corn
Best low-maintenance shrub for gardeners seeking vibrant, year-round color in small spaces.
The Spiraea Double Play® Candy Corn® is a striking, low-growing deciduous shrub known for its vibrant, season-long foliage color. New leaves emerge a bright candy apple red, maturing to pineapple yellow, with continuous bright orange new growth appearing throughout the season. Clusters of dark purple flowers bloom from late spring into early summer, adding further visual interest. This compact, mounded shrub is ideal for small spaces, borders, or as a focal point. It thrives in sunny to partly sunny locations and is noted for its easy-care nature, drought tolerance once established, and resistance to deer.
$24.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
866
/ 2688
#866 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-37%
Below average
SKU
44148
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking vibrant, color-shifting foliage throughout the growing season
- Novice gardeners wanting low-maintenance, cold-hardy landscape plants
- Small-space owners needing compact shrubs for borders or containers
Who should skip it
- Shady garden owners unable to provide full, direct sunlight
- Flower enthusiasts prioritizing heavy, high-impact floral displays
- Busy homeowners looking for strictly zero-pruning plant varieties
Performance breakdown
Foliage Vibrancy
Dynamic color shifts provide high-impact visual interest throughout the entire season.
Maintenance Ease
Naturally mounded habit eliminates the need for regular, tedious pruning.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer and rabbits, protecting your landscape investment from damage.
Environmental Resilience
Established plants handle heat and drought with impressive, low-stress durability.
Space Efficiency
Compact footprint fits perfectly into small gardens, borders, or container arrangements.
Hardiness Range
Robust performance across USDA zones four through eight ensures reliable growth.
Key Specs
SKU
44148
Genus
Spiraea
Species
japonica
Variety
'NCSX1'
Item Form
1-Quart
Mature Height
2.5 Feet
Mature Width
2.5 Feet
Hardiness Zones
4 - 8
Features
- Kaleidoscopic foliage emerges red, matures to yellow, with continuous orange new growth.
- Produces clusters of dark purple flowers in late spring to early summer.
- Compact, mounded habit is suitable for small spaces, borders, or ground cover.
- Tough and cold hardy in USDA Zones 4-8.
- Resists damage from deer and rabbits.
- Tolerates drought and heat once established.
- Naturally rounded shape requires minimal to no pruning.
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the shrub's vibrant, changing foliage, highlighting its unique "candy corn" color palette as a standout feature that delivers season long interest. The primary sentiment revolves around its exceptional visual appeal and reliable performance. Gardeners appreciate the plant's robust quality and low maintenance needs, noting it establishes quickly and thrives without fuss, making it an excellent value for adding dramatic color to the landscape.
Know before you buy
This shrub performs best in full sun to partial shade. Providing at least six hours of direct sunlight daily will ensure the most vibrant red, orange, and yellow foliage colors.
No, pruning is generally unnecessary. This variety has a naturally compact, mounded habit that maintains its tidy shape on its own.
Yes, this Spiraea is noted for its resistance to both deer and rabbits, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where these animals are common.
The Double Play Candy Corn is a compact variety that reaches a mature height and width of approximately 2.5 feet, making it ideal for small garden beds or containers.
This plant is hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8. It is cold-tolerant and designed to withstand winter temperatures within these zones.
Once established, this shrub is quite drought-tolerant and heat-resistant. You will only need to provide supplemental water during periods of extreme heat or prolonged dry spells.
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$25