Spirea Neon Flash (3 Gallon)

Spirea Neon Flash (Spiraea japonica 'Neon Flash') – 3 Gallon

Description
Spirea Neon Flash is a vibrant, easy-care flowering shrub that delivers brilliant color from spring through fall. This compact, mounded plant is covered with clusters of neon, cherry-red flowers that age to a vivid rose pink, attracting butterflies and pollinators to your garden. The lance-shaped foliage emerges with a reddish tint in spring, matures to rich green in summer, and turns deep burgundy or purple in fall, providing multi-season interest. Neon Flash Spirea is perfect for borders, mass plantings, foundation beds, or as a colorful accent in containers. Hardy, fast-growing, and low maintenance, it thrives in full sun and adapts to a wide range of soils.

Key Features
- **Botanical Name:** Spiraea japonica 'Neon Flash'
- **Container Size:** 3 Gallon
- **Mature Size:** 2–3 ft tall and wide (compact, rounded habit)
- **Bloom Color:** Neon cherry-red, aging to rose pink
- **Bloom Time:** Spring through fall; repeat bloomer with deadheading
- **Foliage:** Reddish new growth, rich green in summer, burgundy/purple in fall
- **Sunlight:** Full sun for best color and blooms; tolerates partial sun
- **Soil:** Well-drained; adaptable to most soil types
- **Water Needs:** Moderate; keep soil moist, especially during establishment
- **Hardiness Zones:** USDA 4–8
- **Maintenance:** Very low; prune lightly after flowering to encourage rebloom
- **Special Features:** Attracts butterflies, deer resistant, drought tolerant once established, excellent for cut flowers, cold hardy

Care Instructions
1. **Planting:** Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Space plants 2–3 feet apart for borders or mass plantings.
2. **Watering:** Water deeply after planting and keep soil moist during the first growing season. Once established, water during dry spells.
3. **Fertilizing:** Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring for best growth and blooms.
4. **Pruning:** Lightly prune after the first flush of flowers to encourage reblooming. Every 2–3 years, cut back hard in late winter or early spring to rejuvenate the plant.
5. **Mulching:** Add a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Landscape Uses
- Borders and edging
- Mass plantings
- Foundation plantings
- Accent shrub
- Containers
- Pollinator and butterfly gardens