Care Disclaimer: Plant care recommendations are general guidelines based on common growing conditions. Individual results may vary based on your local environment, climate, and care routine. If your plant is toxic, keep it away from children and pets, and consult a veterinarian if accidental ingestion occurs.
1.Spiraea Goldflame — Overview
Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame', a vibrant cultivar within the Rosaceae family, is a compact, deciduous shrub celebrated primarily for its dynamic foliage and ornamental appeal. This cultivar typically forms a rounded, mounding habit, reaching mature dimensions of 3 to 4 feet in both height and spread. Its most distinguishing feature is the seasonal transformation of its leaves; new growth in spring emerges with striking coppery-orange to reddish-bronze hues, which gradually mature into a bright yellow-green during the summer months.
As autumn approaches, the foliage transitions once more, adopting rich shades of reddish-bronze and copper, providing multi-season interest in garden landscapes. From early to mid-summer, 'Goldflame' produces abundant clusters of small, rosy-pink flowers arranged in flat-topped corymbs, attracting pollinators such as butterflies. While its parent species, Spiraea japonica, is native to East Asia (Japan, China, Korea), 'Goldflame' is a horticultural selection developed for specific aesthetic traits and thus lacks a natural native range.
It is widely cultivated across USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8, thriving in various garden settings from borders and mass plantings to specimen roles, often prized for its low maintenance requirements and adaptability to urban conditions.
Trusted Scientific References
Authoritative external sources for Spiraea japonica Goldflame:
Spiraea Goldflame should be interpreted through verified botanical identity, practical care, and responsible safety language. This recovery note adds the missing context needed for a complete profile: match light to the plant's habit, use well-drained soil, water according to season, and avoid unsupported medicinal or edible claims. For publishing, the plant can be presented as a source-backed garden plant with clear care guidance, common problem diagnosis, and conservative safety wording.
1.1.Spiraea Goldflame — Key Features
- Striking Foliage Color — Exhibits coppery-orange spring growth, bright yellow-green summer leaves, and reddish-bronze autumn hues.
- Compact Size — Typically grows 3-4 feet tall and wide, ideal for various garden applications.
- Rosy — Pink Flowers — Produces charming clusters of small pink blooms in early to mid-summer.
- Deciduous Shrub — Loses its leaves in winter, providing seasonal change.
- Low Maintenance — Requires minimal care, making it suitable for busy gardeners.
- Adaptable to Soil Types — Tolerates a range of soils, including clay, provided there is good drainage.
- Full Sun Tolerance — Performs best and shows most vibrant color in full sun conditions.
- Deer Resistant — Generally not a preferred food source for deer.
- Attracts Pollinators — Flowers provide nectar for butterflies and other beneficial insects.
- USDA Hardiness Zones 4 — 8 — Resilient across a broad range of temperate climates.
1.2.Spiraea Goldflame — Quick Summary
- Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame' is a highly prized ornamental shrub known for its vibrant, multi-seasonal foliage.
- New growth emerges coppery-orange, maturing to yellow-green, then turning reddish-bronze in autumn.
- Produces clusters of rosy-pink flowers in summer, attracting pollinators.
- Primarily cultivated for aesthetic purposes; no known specific medicinal uses for this cultivar.
- Easy to grow and low-maintenance, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.
- The parent species, Spiraea japonica, has invasive potential in some regions.
2.Spiraea Goldflame — Scientific Identity
3.Spiraea Goldflame — Categories & Tags
4.Spiraea Goldflame — Appearance & Identification
5.Spiraea Goldflame — Water Requirements
- Light — Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours direct sunlight daily) for optimal foliage color and flowering; partial shade is tolerated but may reduce vibrancy.
- Soil — Thrives in rich, well-drained loamy soil, but is adaptable to a range of soil types including clay; prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-7.5).
- Watering — Water new shrubs regularly to maintain consistent soil moisture; established plants are moderately drought-tolerant but benefit from watering during dry spells.
- Fertilization — Apply a slow-release, general-purpose garden fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins; incorporating compost into the soil is also beneficial.
- Pruning — Prune in late winter or early spring while dormant to remove dead or weak branches and to shape; deadhead spent blooms in summer to encourage a second flush of flowers.
- Temperature & Humidity — Hardy in USDA Zones 4-8, exhibiting good heat tolerance; humidity is generally not an issue unless it leads to persistently soggy soil.
- Propagation — Best propagated by softwood cuttings taken in late spring, as seeds from cultivars do not grow true to type.
- Pest & Disease — Generally low-maintenance and resistant; occasional issues may include root rot from overwatering or leaf spot under poor conditions.
Reviewed by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Multi-disciplinary editorial group · Botany · Ethnobotany · Herbal-medicine literature
Who reviewed this: This page was checked by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel — an in-house editorial group of botany graduates, ethnobotany researchers, and horticulture practitioners who collectively maintain our 7,000+ plant encyclopedia. Meet the team.
Our 4-step verification process
1. Taxonomic verification
Scientific names and synonyms cross-checked against Kew POWO, World Flora Online, and The Plant List.
2. Phytochemical & medicinal cross-reference
Active compounds, traditional uses, and reported activities are cross-referenced with PubMed, USDA Dr. Duke's database, and peer-reviewed ethnobotanical literature.
3. Conservation & distribution check
Distribution, ecology, and conservation status confirmed against GBIF occurrence records and the IUCN Red List.
4. Editorial & safety review
Every entry passes an editorial pass for clarity, originality, and safety notices (toxicity, contraindications, dosage caveats) before publication.
Last reviewed:
Editorial Note: This page is for educational and plant care purposes only.
Written by: Flora Medical Global Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Last Updated: June 28, 2026
Spiraea Goldflame — Comments & Community Reviews
Rate this plant
No reviews yet. Be the first!