Double Play Candy Corn Spirea

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'NCSX1', USPP 28,313) provides continuous foliage color from spring through fall in a compact package. Developed by Dr. Tom Ranney at North Carolina State University, this deciduous shrub emerges in spring with candy apple red new growth that matures to bright chartreuse-yellow. Throughout the growing season, new shoots continue emerging in orange tones, creating a shifting palette of red, orange, and yellow foliage on the same plant. Dark purple flower clusters appear in late spring and early summer, attracting butterflies and adding another color layer. Hardy in zones 4-8, this selection grows 18-24 inches tall with a similar spread, forming a naturally rounded mound. Plant Candy Corn in borders where its compact size and season-long color work well at the front of beds, or use it as a low informal hedge along walkways and property lines. The small stature makes it suitable for foundation plantings under windows and for containers on patios. It adapts to average well-drained soils in full sun, though it tolerates part shade and a range of soil conditions including clay. Once established after a year or two, it handles dry periods well. Deer and rabbits typically avoid it, and its natural mounded habit means pruning is optional—though trimming lightly after flowering encourages fresh waves of colorful new growth. This Proven Winners ColorChoice selection belongs to the Double Play series, which focuses on extending color interest beyond the bloom period through distinctive foliage. Note that Candy Corn can be slow to leaf out in spring, so avoid mistaking dormancy for winter damage. After the first frost, foliage turns shades of red, orange, and purple before dropping for winter. The color intensity varies with sun exposure—brighter yellows develop in full sun while part shade produces darker, more subdued tones.