Double Play® Gold Spirea

Double Play® Gold Spiraea japonica 'Yan' USPP 21,615

Proven Winners®

Dual-Season Color: Golden Foliage Plus Hot Pink Blooms on One Compact Plant
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Showy Pink Blooms From Late Spring to Late Summer
Pollinator-Friendly Shrub

$26¹⁴

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Plant Size

Quart Container #2 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give this spirea at least 6 hours of direct sun each day for the most vibrant golden foliage and pink flowers. While it tolerates partial shade, too little sun will turn the leaves a dull green and significantly reduce the number of blooms you see.
Soil: Plant in well-drained soil that doesn't stay soggy after rain. If you have heavy clay, amend it with compost or pine bark to improve drainage, as spirea roots hate sitting in waterlogged ground.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist for the first year while the root system establishes itself, checking it daily during hot spells. Once established, this shrub has good drought tolerance, though you may notice leaf scorch or smaller flowers during extended dry periods if you skip watering entirely.

Pruning Tips

Double Play® Gold blooms on new wood, so the best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Give the entire shrub a light trim to shape it, or cut it back by about one-third to encourage fresh, vigorous growth and maximum flowering later in the season.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a slow-release, balanced shrub fertilizer in early spring just as you see green buds swelling. Avoid feeding late in the summer, as this pushes tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost hits.

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, Disease resistant, Attracts pollinators, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Hedge/Screen, Container Friendly
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	1-2 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	Pink
Foliage Color	Yellow, Other, Red, Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Botanical Name	Double Play® Gold Spiraea japonica 'Yan' USPP 21,615
Species	japonica
Cultivar	Yan
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT

Foliage and Flower Power Double Play® Gold Spirea

Eye-catching Bloom Machine
Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Disease Resistant
Deer Resistant

Double Play® Gold Spirea (Double Play® Gold Spiraea japonica 'Yan' PP21,615) adds so much visual interest to your landscape. It features bright, hot pink flowers and colorful yellow gold foliage.

And the nicest part? This sweet little plant is super-duper easy. This compact, low-to-the-ground plant adds easy, season-long color and is low maintenance. Double Play Gold maintains its compact mounded shape with very little pruning.

Like all Proven Winners® selections, this compact low mounded plant passes heavy-duty field testing to prove its resistance to disease.

We aren't saying this is a "set it and forget it" plant, however. There is simply no way you could ever forget this brilliant color! It's just that you won't have to fuss with it. Thank goodness!

It's a bloom machine for you all summer long. You'll adore the way it holds its color all season long and provides a profusion of beautiful, large bright pink blooms. The bright gold foliage is more intense than other Spirea selections.

All season long from the day the first leaves unfurl, right up until the frost completes the season - you'll appreciate this bright and colorful shrub.

The hot pink flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. The rich pink flower clusters begin blooming in late spring and will happily continue all season long.

Pro Tip - you'll get faster reblooming of new flowers if you spend just a little "me" time each week clipping the flowers to create cut bouquets to take indoors.

Give this selection center stage at your home. Order today!

How to Use Double Play Gold Spirea in the Landscape

Use these as "Thrillers" in your seasonal containers. These plants can go ultra-modern in sleek containers. Or, use a funky jumble of collected containers with Double Play Gold Spirea in each one for an "Instagram-ready" look.

This is a really effective plant for cottage gardens. You'll love watching the butterflies come and dance around these plants.

Use them to line your foundation planting. What better plant to place in front of those trusty evergreen shrubs? You get a big boost of style, color and charm in one easy-breezy package.

Now, how about we get creative? Why not use these to bring pollinators to your vegetable garden? Simply plant one in each corner of your patch.

Give yourself a cute low hedge to brighten up your fencing. Place one on either side of a gate as a welcoming touch.

Try it as an "anchor" plant in a sunny border by planting several along a gentle zig-zag the whole length. You'll tie the whole bed together with this plant as a pretty "ribbon". You'll love the way it adds easy season-long color.

Just like in home decor, choose complementary colors that play off these bright pink and gold hues. Pro tip? Use this plant as your jumping-off point. Wonderful companion plants would include Pink Drift® Groundcover Rose or Rosy Returns Daylily. Contrast it against a deeply colored Tiny Wine® Ninebark shrub or a sunny Potentilla shrub. Finally, underplant the edge of the bed with pink Creeping Thyme groundcover to polish the entire look.

This plant asks for an adventurous gardener. Have fun playing with this selection!

#ProPlantTips for Care

As soon as the flowers fade, just a quick snip of the pruning shears to remove the spent blooms will help the plant to continue to push out new flowers right into the fall season. Besides the occasional deadheading, a simple early spring prune before it begins to grow will give your plants a nice uniform look and keep your plants tidy in the landscape.

No need to worry about the pruning affecting blooming as they bloom on new growth, so trim away as needed.

The beauty of Double Play Gold Spirea is that it has no serious insect or disease problems, and it seems the deer even leave this one alone.

It loves the sun which keeps that bright golden color at its peak and keeps the blooms coming faster and more consistently throughout the season. The further north it grows, the more sun required, and the further south the more shade tolerant it will prove.

Just about any soil works, as long as it is well drained.

New, colorful foliage and flowers, compact size, and versatile use make this selection of Spirea one of the best.

Order enough plants to complete your project today for the very best selection.

Explore More from Nature Hills

If you love the compact beauty of Double Play® Gold Spirea, explore our full collection of spirea bushes and other flowering shrubs from proven winners®. These hardy plants join our selection of low maintenance plants that provide reliable color throughout the growing season. For expert care tips, check out our guide on Timing for Pruning Flowering Shrubs and discover more options in 5 Low-Maintenance Flowering Shrubs That Bloom All Summer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zones is Double Play® Gold Spirea hardy in?

Double Play® Gold Spirea is hardy in zones 3-8, making it suitable for most temperate regions. This cold-hardy shrub can withstand harsh winters while reliably producing its bright pink blooms and golden foliage each season. Plant in spring after your last frost date for best establishment.

How tall and wide does Double Play® Gold Spirea grow at maturity?

Double Play® Gold Spirea reaches 18-24 inches tall and wide at maturity, forming a compact, low-mounded shape. This dwarf shrub maintains its tidy form with minimal pruning required. Perfect for small spaces and containers - shop at Nature Hills for this proven performer.

What type of soil does Double Play® Gold Spirea prefer?

Double Play® Gold Spirea thrives in well-draining soil and adapts to various soil types. This low-maintenance shrub tolerates average garden conditions without fuss. Plant in soil that doesn't stay waterlogged for best results.

How often should I water my newly planted Double Play® Gold Spirea?

Water newly planted Double Play® Gold Spirea deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month. Once established, this low-maintenance shrub is quite drought tolerant. Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 2 inches deep - water when dry at that depth.

Is Double Play® Gold Spirea a fast-growing or slow-growing shrub?

Double Play® Gold Spirea is a moderate grower that maintains its compact mounded shape naturally with minimal pruning needed. This low-maintenance shrub focuses its energy on continuous blooming rather than rapid size increases. Shop at Nature Hills for this easy-care bloomer.

Is Double Play® Gold Spirea deer resistant?

Yes, Double Play® Gold Spirea is deer resistant. This compact shrub's natural properties make it an unappealing choice for browsing deer. Plant it in areas where deer pressure is a concern for reliable, low-maintenance color all season long.

Will Double Play® Gold Spirea survive winter temperatures in zone 4?

Double Play® Gold Spirea is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, so it will reliably survive zone 4 winters. This Spiraea japonica selection is bred for cold tolerance and disease resistance. Plant in well-draining soil and provide winter mulch for best results.

Double Play® Gold Spirea

Double Play® Gold Spiraea japonica 'Yan' USPP 21,615