Double Play Big Bang Spirea
Best low-maintenance shrub for beginner gardeners seeking vibrant summer color.
The Double Play Big Bang® Spirea offers exceptionally vibrant spring growth and the largest, pinkest flowers among Japanese spirea varieties. It provides fluffy masses of light pink blooms throughout the summer, making it an excellent choice for a long-blooming, low hedge or specimen planting. This perennial is drought tolerant and deer resistant, thriving in full to part sun conditions. With its naturally tidy habit, it requires minimal pruning, making it nearly perfect for beginners and landscape designs alike.
$24.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
785
/ 2614
#785 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-37%
Below average
Botanical name
Spiraea x 'Tracy'
/ Spiraea x 'Tracy'
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking high-impact, vibrant floral displays
- Novice gardeners wanting low-maintenance, hardy landscape additions
- Landscapers prioritizing consistent foliage texture and seasonal color
Who should skip it
- Gardeners with limited full-sun planting locations
- Busy homeowners preferring strictly hands-off, zero-pruning plants
- Gardeners who prefer avoiding routine pest monitoring and treatment
Performance breakdown
Bloom Impact
Produces the largest, most vibrant pink flowers in the spirea category.
Maintenance Ease
Naturally tidy habit eliminates the need for frequent, tedious pruning.
Environmental Resilience
Drought tolerance and deer resistance ensure survival in challenging garden conditions.
Seasonal Longevity
Provides consistent, colorful blooms that persist throughout the entire summer season.
Beginner Friendliness
Hardy nature and predictable growth make this ideal for novice gardeners.
Landscape Versatility
Compact size works perfectly for low hedges or standalone specimen plantings.
Key Specs
Botanical name
Spiraea x 'Tracy'
Patent #
USPP 21,588
USDA Hardiness Zones
3 - 8
Mature Height
3 feet
Mature Width
3 feet
Light Requirement
Full sun to part-sun
Foliage Color
Bright yellow-green
Bloom Time
Summer
Features
- Produces extra large, vibrant pink blooms.
- Extremely durable and low maintenance.
- Features vibrant fresh growth in spring.
- Naturally grows with a neat, tidy habit.
- Deer resistant and drought tolerant.
- Ideal for beginners and landscaping.
- Blooms throughout the summer season.
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Double Play Big Bang Spirea for its spectacular aesthetic appeal and reliable performance. The vibrant yellow foliage creates exceptional contrast with the pink blooms, offering dynamic visual interest all season. Reviewers consistently highlight the plant's robust hardiness and low maintenance needs, noting its tolerance for various soil conditions and resistance to pests. Its reliable reblooming capability is a significant factor in its high rating. While the initial cost is sometimes noted as higher, the consensus is that the superior quality and guaranteed color payoff represent excellent value. This Spirea is positioned as a highly recommended, reliable garden investment.
Know before you buy
This shrub is exceptionally low-maintenance. Because it naturally maintains a neat, mounding habit, it requires very little pruning to keep its shape.
The Double Play Big Bang Spirea is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8. It is a versatile plant that performs well across a wide range of climates.
Yes, this variety is container-friendly. Its compact 3-foot by 3-foot size makes it an excellent choice for large pots on a patio or deck.
No, this variety is considered deer resistant. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, it is generally ignored by deer in most landscapes.
For the best performance and most vibrant flower production, plant it in a location that receives full sun to part sun. At least six hours of direct sunlight daily is ideal.
It is classified as semi-evergreen. Depending on your specific climate, it may hold onto some foliage, but you should expect it to lose its leaves or die back as it enters dormancy during the winter months.
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$25