Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea

Spiraea japonica 'NCSX1'

Proven Winners®

Tricolor Foliage Transforms from Candy Apple Red to Pineapple Yellow Throughout the Season
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-7
Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 1-4 ft Wide
Showy Purple, Pink Blooms From Late Spring to Late Summer
Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Butterflies

$72⁹³

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Plant Size

#2 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in full sun for at least 6 hours each day to achieve the most vibrant orange and yellow foliage. While it tolerates partial shade, the colors will appear more lime-green and the plant will produce fewer purple flowers.
Soil: This spirea thrives in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay, mix in a few handfuls of compost at planting time to improve drainage and prevent the roots from sitting in soggy conditions.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Spirea twice a week to ensure the root system establishes deeply. Once mature, this plant is remarkably drought tolerant, but providing a deep soak during mid-summer dry spells prevents the leaf tips from browning. Inconsistent watering during extreme heat can lead to smaller flower clusters and muted leaf color.

Pruning Tips

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea blooms on new wood, meaning it produces flowers on the stems that grow during the current season. The best time to prune is in late winter or very early spring before new growth appears. Think of it like a refreshing haircut: cutting the entire shrub back by about one third encourages a flush of that iconic bright red new growth and keeps the mound tight and tidy.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring just as the new leaves begin to peek out. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall because this encourages tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This late-season growth is easily damaged by freezing temperatures, which can stress the overall health of the shrub.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Compact/Dwarf, Flowering, Fall Color/Interest, Deer-resistant, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Attracts pollinators, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1-4 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Peaty
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Upright
Blooms In	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	Purple, Pink
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Spiraea japonica 'NCSX1'
Species	japonica
Cultivar	NCSX1
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Whether you are a fan of the old-fashioned fall treat known as candy corn or not, we’re sure this is something we can all get behind! When Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea (Double Play Candy Corn Spiraea japonica 'NCSX1' USPP 28,313) was shown in test gardens, here are a few of the comments people gave this sterile triploid cultivar over and over again:

"Eye-popping!"

"Crazy colorful!"

"You have to see it to believe it!"

And we agree with them all. This is a crazy colorful, eye-popping Spirea that you simply have to see to believe!

In the spring the foliage starts out a candy apple red. Then it turns to pineapple yellow as the season wears on, while all the while - new growth continues to come out in rich orange color. On top of that, the flowers bust out in early summer and are wonderful little clusters of tiny blooms the shade of dark rosy pinkish-purple. Just wait until you see what this little powerhouse has in store for you in the fall! Lots of action and color on one plant!

Double Play® Japanese Spirea are known for their repeat blooms and stunning array of colors! These tough space-saving little woody shrubs are a joy to have frolicking in your garden! Cold hardy throughout USDA growing zones 4 through 7, these living kaleidoscopes will reliably knock your socks off year to year! Staying a demure 1-2 feet tall and spreading to 1-4 feet in width, they won't take any of your time either!

Planting and Application:

Use Spirea Double Play Candy Corn to brighten up beds and borders. They fill in against leggy older evergreens and neaten up older foundation plantings. They look equally great lining a formal walkway or edging a unique woodland garden. Wake up a tired hedge with a row of these eye-popping bushes planted in front of them, or get a rock wall or fenceline noticed! Dress up cottage borders and pollinator gardens with vibrant colors that you and your pollinators will take notice of!

The compact and dense, bushy size and shape of these adaptable little shrubs means great things await your porch planters and patio pots! Balcony and rooftop gardeners, container gardeners and anyone with smaller, modern lots can brighten up their landscapes regardless of size availability! Don't worry about established landscapes either, you'll easily find room to include this bright, space-saving accent shrub!

Vibrant Yellows, Golds, Orange, Reds & More!
Super Color Changing, Three Seasons of Interest
Rosy-Pink Fluffy Flower Clusters - Great Flower Power!
So Compact, Small-Sized & Ultra Low Maintenance!
Brighten Low Hedge, Borders, Edging, Accents, Containers & Foundations

#ProPlantTips for Care:

New and improved Japanese Spirea love full sun and partial shade, appreciating afternoon shade in the hottest of its favored hardiness zones. Any well-drained, moderately moist location in the landscape suits these just fine! Besides their obvious beauty, they are drought tolerant, and deer and rabbits don't touch them. Plus, they rarely require any pruning! Just a clean shearing or deadheading after their first flush of blossoms to tidy up the mound and encourage a rebloom later in the growing season.

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Moderate Moisture & Well-Drained Soil - Low Water Needs Once Established
Adaptable & Easy Care!
Low-Growing - No Pruning Required
Drought Tolerant, Cold Hardy & Deer Resistant

This is a one-of-a-kind plant that is sure to brighten up your garden! Order a Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea bush from NatureHills.com today!

Explore More from Nature Hills

The Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea belongs to our exceptional collection of proven winners® and stands out among other spirea bushes for its unique tricolor foliage and compact habit. This reliable performer joins our selection of low maintenance plants and flowering shrubs that provide season-long interest with minimal care. For helpful growing tips, check out our guide on 5 Low-Maintenance Flowering Shrubs That Bloom All Summer and learn proper care techniques in Timing for Pruning Flowering Shrubs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea suitable for?

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea is cold hardy in USDA zones 4 through 7. This compact shrub reliably returns each year in these zones, staying 1-2 feet tall and spreading 1-4 feet wide. Plant in spring for best establishment before winter.

What is the mature height and width of Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea?

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea reaches 1-2 feet tall and spreads 1-4 feet wide at maturity. This compact size makes it perfect for borders, foundation plantings, or walkway edging in zones 4-7. Shop at Nature Hills for this space-saving colorful shrub.

What are the soil requirements for planting Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea?

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea thrives in well-draining soil and adapts to most soil types from slightly acidic to neutral pH. This hardy shrub tolerates poor soils once established in zones 4-7. Plant in spring after frost danger passes for best results.

How much sun does Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea need – full sun or partial shade?

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea thrives in full sun to partial shade, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal flowering and foliage color. The vibrant spring reds, summer yellows, and orange new growth will be most intense with more sun exposure. Plant in a sunny spot for the best rosy-purple blooms and eye-popping seasonal color changes.

Is Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea deer and rabbit resistant?

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea is generally deer and rabbit resistant due to its woody nature and dense growth habit. The compact 1-2 foot height makes it less appealing to browsing animals than tender perennials. For best results in zones 4-7, pair with other resistant plants available at naturehills.com.

Does Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea require pruning, and when?

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea requires minimal pruning due to its naturally compact 1-2 foot height. Light pruning after the first flush of blooms in early summer will encourage repeat flowering. Simply deadhead spent blooms and remove any damaged branches as needed.

How often should I water Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea, and is it drought tolerant once established?

Water weekly during the first growing season, then these hardy shrubs become quite drought tolerant in zones 4-7. Once established, they typically need supplemental water only during extended dry spells. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root development.

What fertilizer is recommended for Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea?

A balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer applied in early spring works well for Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea. These hardy shrubs aren't heavy feeders, so one application before new growth emerges is typically sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which can reduce flowering and dull the vibrant foliage colors.

When do the flowers bloom on Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea?

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea blooms in early summer with clusters of dark rosy pinkish-purple flowers. This variety is known for repeat blooms throughout the growing season in zones 4-7. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional flushes of blooms.

How long does shipping take for Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea, and when do pre-orders ship?

Shipping times vary by location and season, typically 3-7 business days for in-stock plants. Pre-orders ship during optimal planting windows based on your hardiness zone (4-7 for this spirea). Check your specific delivery timeline at checkout and plant immediately upon arrival for best establishment.

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea

Spiraea japonica 'NCSX1'