Description
'Gold Mound' Spirea is a low, mounding, exceptional accent or contrast shrub. The brilliant golden foliage holds its color all season long if planted in full sun. Flushes of mauve-pink flowers contrast nicely with the foliage and appear in late spring and continue into summer. Though this plant never requires pruning, a light shearing after the first bloom cycle will encourage a new flush of blooms. We use this low maintenance, heat and drought tolerant shrub in every lndscape design we draw.

Mature Size: 2.5-3' H x 4-5' W

Culture
Soil: Prefers well-drained soil.

Light: Full Sun or Partial Shade - NOTE: Foliage retains golden color best in sun and turns chartreuse (golden-green) in when in shadier situations.

Moisture Needs: Low once established.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 3 to 8

Usage
We plant this flowering shrub as a border or in groups in sunny beds, islands, foundation plantings, and as a specimen for contrast in perennial gardens.

Outstanding Features
The bright golden foliage is a standout in the landscape and contrasts wonderfully with plants nearby. The masses of mauve pink flowers contrast nicely with the foliage.

Planting - Plant 'Gold Mound' Spirea in well-drained soil. Dig the hole two to three times the width and no deeper than the rootball. Mix in a good soil ammendment such as Claycutter at a 50/50 ratio with the soil removed from hole. Place rootball in hole making sure that top edge of the rootball is slightly above ground level. Backfill with soil mixture to top edge of rootball tapering the mix gradually to ground level. For more detailed instruction and a diagram see Planting A Shrub.

Pruning - No pruning is necessary. Shearing lightly after bloom cycle will encourage a new flush of blooms.

Fertilization - Fertilize in Spring when new growth begins to emerge and again in early fall.

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2006 Plant of The Week Archives