{"product_id":"little-spark-spirea","title":"Little Spark Spirea","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Compact Shrub With Fiery Foliage and Pink Summer Blooms\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Spark Spirea (\u003cem\u003eSpiraea japonica\u003c\/em\u003e 'Little Spark') is a tidy, mounded shrub that lights up the border with vivid orange-red new growth and clusters of pink flowers through summer. Compact and easy, it's a tough, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant performer that bees and butterflies love. Its colorful foliage and long bloom make it a versatile foundation and border shrub for gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLittle Spark Spirea Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpiraea japonica 'Little Spark'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24 in. tall, 24–30 in. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEarly to midsummer, often reblooming\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePink, over orange-red new foliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable — tolerates clay; prefers good drainage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUsually avoided by deer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompact foundation and border shrub:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its small, mounded form suits foundations, low hedges, and the front of shrub borders. Space 2–3 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bees and butterflies work the pink flower clusters. Pair with coneflower, catmint, and ornamental grasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September). Adaptable; water through establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Little Spark Spirea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Little Spark Spirea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells. Shear off spent flowers to encourage rebloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasily — Japanese spireas are among the toughest, hardiest small shrubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How do I keep it blooming and tidy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShear lightly after the first flush of flowers to spur rebloom and maintain its compact shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGenerally yes — deer usually avoid spirea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does the foliage stay colorful?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNew growth flushes orange-red through the season, with warm tones again in fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDouble Play Candy Corn Spirea (Spiraea japonica):\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright orange-and-purple foliage with pink-red flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDakota Goldcharm Spirea (Spiraea japonica):\u003c\/strong\u003e A gold-foliage dwarf spirea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConeflower (Echinacea):\u003c\/strong\u003e A native pollinator companion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Little Spark Spirea Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a low edging run or front-of-border mass, plant on 2.5-ft centers (the body's own 2–3 ft spacing for its 24–30 in. spread):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLength of edging\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants needed (2.5 ft apart)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an accent, a drift of 3 on 2.5-ft centers gives the fiery foliage real presence; a single plant works tucked at a bed corner with a 3-ft circle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLittle Spark Spirea Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e The namesake spark — new growth flushes vivid orange-red as it leafs out in May. Tidy with a light early-spring trim before growth starts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pink flower clusters over the colorful foliage from early to midsummer, working with bees and butterflies; shear off spent blooms for a repeat flush.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage warms back up with orange-red tones for a second color act before leaf drop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e A low, twiggy dormant mound under the snow — hardy to -40°F with no protection needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/double-play-candy-corn-spirea\"\u003eDouble Play Candy Corn Spirea\u003c\/a\u003e — the body's own pick: orange-and-purple foliage that doubles down on the fiery theme.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dakota-goldcharm-spirea\"\u003eDakota Goldcharm Spirea\u003c\/a\u003e — gold-foliage dwarf companion from the You May Also Like list, same easy care.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/little-princess-spirea\"\u003eLittle Princess Spirea\u003c\/a\u003e — classic green-and-pink mound to calm the hot colors between drifts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — the upright ornamental grass the body's pollinator-garden recipe calls for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Little Spark Spirea Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePick Little Spark if you want knee-high, deer-resistant color for a full-sun-to-part-shade foundation strip or border edge in average, well-drained soil — it delivers foliage color even when nothing's blooming and shrugs off drought once established. It's not a fit if the spot stays wet or sits in deep shade — the orange-red foliage show washes out without good light, and soggy clay invites root rot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54313170403633,"sku":null,"price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/little-spark-spirea.jpg?v=1779727888","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/little-spark-spirea","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}