Double Play Red Spirea
Double Play Red Spirea
Red-Purple Foliage and Bright Red Summer Flowers
Double Play Red Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'Double Play Red') delivers bold color on two fronts — deep red-purple foliage that emerges burgundy in spring, topped by clusters of bright red-pink flowers in summer. The compact, mounded shrub is tough, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, and the flowers draw bees and butterflies. A vivid, low-maintenance foundation and border shrub for gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Double Play Red Spirea Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Spiraea japonica 'Double Play Red' |
| 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 | Bright red-pink, over red-purple 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
Compact foundation and border shrub: Its small, mounded form and bold foliage suit foundations and the front of shrub borders. Space 2–3 feet apart.
Pollinator gardens: Bees and butterflies work the red 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 Red 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 Red 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 off spent flowers to encourage rebloom.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — Japanese spireas are among the toughest, hardiest small shrubs.
Q: How do I keep the foliage and flowers looking their best?
Shear lightly after the first flush of flowers to spur rebloom and fresh colorful growth.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Generally yes — deer usually avoid spirea.
Q: What color is the foliage?
Deep red-purple, emerging burgundy in spring and holding rich color into fall.
You May Also Like
Double Play Doozie Spirea (Spiraea): A seedless, reblooming red spirea that flowers all summer.
Anthony Waterer Spirea (Spiraea japonica): The classic rose-pink-flowered spirea.
Coneflower (Echinacea): A native pollinator companion.
How Many Double Play Red Spirea Do I Need?
For a low foundation or border 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 color accent, plant a group of 3 in a triangle, 2–3 feet apart — the dark foliage reads as one bold mass.
Double Play Red Spirea Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Foliage emerges rich burgundy — dark, dramatic color before a single flower opens.
- Summer: Clusters of bright red-pink flowers glow against the red-purple leaves; shear lightly after the first flush for rebloom and fresh dark growth.
- Fall: The red-purple foliage holds rich color late into the season.
- 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
- Double Play Doozie Spirea — seedless and blooming all summer right beside it.
- Anthony Waterer Spirea — the classic rose-pink counterpart.
- Little Princess Spirea — soft pink and green that lets the dark foliage pop.
- Blue Star Juniper — steel-blue evergreen contrast for the front of the bed.
Is Double Play Red Spirea Right for Your Yard?
Yes if you have full sun to light part shade and want dark red-purple foliage plus red flowers on a tough, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant 2–3 ft shrub. It's not a fit if your spot sits in heavy shade — the foliage greens out and bloom drops off without good sun.