Double Play Candy Corn Spirea
Double Play Candy Corn Spirea
Candy-Corn Foliage and Purple-Red Summer Flowers
Double Play Candy Corn Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'Double Play Candy Corn') is a foliage spectacle — new growth emerges bright candy-apple red, matures through orange to pineapple-yellow, all topped by clusters of purple-red flowers in summer. The compact, mounded shrub is tough, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, and the flowers draw bees and butterflies. A vivid, eye-catching foundation and border shrub for gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Double Play Candy Corn Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Spiraea japonica 'Double Play Candy Corn' |
| Mature Size | 2–3 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Bloom Time | Early to midsummer, often reblooming |
| Flower Color | Purple-red, over multicolor foliage |
| Soil | Adaptable — tolerates clay; prefers good drainage |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to -40°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Usually avoided by deer |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Foliage focal point: Its ever-changing candy-corn foliage gives season-long color beyond the flowers. Space 2–3 feet apart.
Pollinator gardens: Bees and butterflies work the flower clusters. Pair with coneflower, catmint, and grasses.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September). Adaptable; water through establishment.
How to Plant Double Play Candy Corn Spirea
Dig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Space 2–3 feet apart.
Watering Double Play Candy Corn Spirea
First year: Water deeply every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells. Shear lightly to spur fresh colorful growth and rebloom.
Q: Why does the foliage change color?
New growth emerges red, then shifts through orange to pineapple-yellow — the candy-corn effect — giving multicolor interest all season.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — hardy to zone 3 and beyond.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Generally yes — deer usually avoid spirea.
Q: How do I keep the brightest color?
A light shear after the first bloom triggers fresh, brightly colored new growth.
You May Also Like
Little Spark Spirea (Spiraea japonica): A compact spirea with fiery new foliage.
Dakota Goldcharm Spirea (Spiraea japonica): A gold-foliage dwarf spirea.
Coneflower (Echinacea): A native pollinator companion.
How Many Double Play Candy Corn Spirea Do I Need?
For a low border or edging run, space plants about 2.5 feet apart (within the 2–3 ft spacing above):
| Run Length | Plants Needed |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 2 |
| 10 ft | 4 |
| 20 ft | 8 |
| 30 ft | 12 |
For a foliage accent, plant a group of 3 in a triangle, 2–3 feet apart — the shifting candy-corn colors read best in a mass.
Double Play Candy Corn Spirea Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: New growth emerges bright candy-apple red — one of the loudest spring foliage shows of any small shrub.
- Summer: Foliage matures through orange to pineapple-yellow while clusters of purple-red flowers hum with bees and butterflies; a light shear after the first flush spurs fresh red growth and rebloom.
- Fall: The multicolor foliage holds late into the season before dropping.
- Winter: A tidy, low deciduous mound; prune in early spring before growth starts — it blooms on new wood.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Little Spark Spirea — a compact companion with its own fiery new growth.
- Dakota Goldcharm Spirea — a gold-foliage dwarf that echoes the yellow tones.
- Double Play Doozie Spirea — a seedless spirea that blooms red all summer beside it.
- Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass — upright vertical contrast to the low color mound.
Is Double Play Candy Corn Spirea Right for Your Yard?
Yes if you have full sun to light part shade, average or clay soil with decent drainage, and want bold, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant color in a small footprint. It's not a fit if your spot is in deep shade — the candy-corn foliage colors fade toward plain green without strong sun.