Free Shipping on Orders $199+

Growing Zone: | Garden in
Find your Growing Zone!

Magic Carpet Spirea

Spirea japonica 'Walbuma'

  • Burgundy Spring Foliage Transforms to Russet Fall in One Compact Magic Carpet Spirea
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
  • Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 2 ft Wide
  • Showy Pink Blooms From Late Spring to Late Summer
  • Pollinator-Friendly Shrub
Regular price $2181
Shipping calculated at checkout.
In Stock
Plant not supported in Growing Zone. Update address

Unfortunately, this item cannot be shipped to your state.

Shipping to a different address?

Shipping to your area may be delayed due to weather conditions.

Shipping to a different address?

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone
Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Give this shrub at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to achieve the most vibrant russet-red new foliage and gold mature leaves. While it tolerates partial shade, the foliage often fades to a lime green and flower production decreases without full sun exposure.
  • Soil: Plant in well-drained soil to prevent root rot issues, as this plant dislikes standing water. If you have heavy clay, amend it with compost to improve drainage, or use peat moss to help sandy soils retain adequate moisture.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to help the root system establish itself in the landscape. Once established, Magic Carpet Spirea is moderately drought tolerant, though inconsistent watering during high heat can lead to crispy leaf edges or premature flower fading.

Pruning Tips

This variety blooms on new wood, so you should prune it in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins to emerge. You can shear the plant back by about one-third to remove old flower heads and encourage a flush of colorful new foliage. This timing ensures you do not cut off future flower buds and helps maintain a compact, mounded habit.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release shrub fertilizer in early spring just as green leaves start to appear. Avoid applying nitrogen-heavy fertilizers late in the summer, as this pushes soft new growth that will not harden off in time for winter.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


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

Description

Colorful Compact Magic Carpet Spirea!

  • Colorful, Carefree Shrub
  • Burgundy New Spring Growth
  • Bright Pink Flowers in Early Summer
  • Reblooming
  • Rounded Shape
  • Rich Russet Fall Color
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Small-Footprint & Planter Sized

Get a huge boost of charm with this well-behaved, useful shrub. Magic Carpet Spirea (Spirea japonica 'Walbuma'), is a colorful, rounded shrub that fits almost anywhere in the landscape. If you want a color show all season long, try this easy care rounded plant.

You'll love how easy it is to grow this little shrub. This pretty shrub is actually one tough little plant. Perfect for experienced gardeners and total newbies alike. And the color is absolutely remarkable!

In spring, new growth is soft burgundy and the foliage quickly brightens to vibrant lime green and is decorated with an amazing June flower display of pink flower clusters. Get ready to watch the butterflies dance over this welcome nectar source!

Once that first big flush is done, shear the whole plant back by 1/3 with hedge clippers. Tidy homeowners will love this crisp, clean look.

This minimal pruning task takes just a few minutes and will encourage a large rebloom later in the summer. Magic Carpet Spirea is a beauty, and with some judicious deadheading and the right climate, the flowers will rebloom until November.

Now, on the other hand - if you are swamped this summer, you can choose to do absolutely nothing at all to this plant. It will still look great, grow into a nice, naturally rounded, shape and give you a second small flush of blooms later in the summer.

In fall, the foliage turns rich, russet tones that remain colorful well into the winter months. Magic Carpet Spirea is an outstanding landscape plant, perfect for foundation plantings, and included in patio plantings.

Full sun brings out the brightest colors, so give it a sunny spot. Once it's established in your yard, it becomes drought tolerant.

If you want some fall fireworks in your garden, make Magic Carpet Spirea your centerpiece! Order yours today and get ready for a fabulous color display.

How to Use Magic Carpet Spirea in the Landscape

You'll find a million places to tuck in one or two of these beautiful small shrubs. Add a few to each planting bed to help unify your landscape design, without all the fuss and maintenance!

You could also go big and use a mass planting to maximize the impact! To create a solid hedge, plant 12" - 18" apart on center. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next. Increase the spacing to 2 - 3 feet apart for individual plants. For a larger planting, use a zig-zag planting pattern. Mulch between the plants and keep new mass plantings weeded.

Use several shrubs along the edge of a sunny path, sidewalk or in a berm planting in the front yard. Brighten up rugged rock gardens, or other tough and dry planting sites. Add as facer shrubs for mixed shrub borders.

Magic Carpet Spirea does well in lush container gardens that work on your patio from spring to fall. Dress them up with other grasses and annuals or use several shrubs together in a single display. Small enough to include in established landscapes and small urban yards alike!

These shrubs are butterfly magnets. The changing color of this Spirea variety adds to its appeal. Your garden will benefit in each phase of the growing season.

The plant is quite often used for erosion control where it is mass planted to secure hillsides. Popular for city plantings, Magic Carpet is very tolerant of commercial settings and urban environments.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Give this sun lover as much sun as you can in your landscape. It prefers well-drained soil but is versatile. Add a layer of mulch to 2 feet outside of the plant. This will keep the roots cool and cut down on surface evaporation.

Each year, you'll rejuvenate the plant if you give it a light trim. Do it in early spring before the new growth emerges or wait until the first flush of flowers have faded. Remove a third of the growth, and you'll be rewarded with a second bloom.

There are no serious insect or disease problems. Magic Carpet tolerates a wide range of soils and is easy to grow.

If Magic Carpet Spirea does a little too well in your area, don't worry. Nature Hills uses Plant Sentry™ system to protect your community from regulated plant materials.

Take a colorful ride with this marvelous Magic Carpet Spirea. You'll love the way it performs so well for you, without fuss or muss. Order this wonderful small shrub today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to use?

  • Magic Carpet Spirea works perfectly in foundation plantings, borders, or containers with its compact rounded shape. Plant in full sun for brightest foliage colors and most abundant pink blooms. After the June flower display, shear back by 1/3 to encourage summer reblooming.

What planting zones is Magic Carpet Spirea hardy in?

  • Magic Carpet Spirea is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, making it suitable for most of the United States. This tough little shrub handles both cold winters and hot summers with ease. For best results, plant it in full sun to bring out the brightest foliage colors, available at naturehills.com.

How tall and wide does Magic Carpet Spirea grow at maturity?

  • Magic Carpet Spirea reaches 18-24 inches tall and wide at maturity, forming a naturally rounded, compact shape. This small footprint makes it perfect for foundation plantings, borders, or containers. Plant it in full sun for the best foliage colors and flowering performance.

Does Magic Carpet Spirea need full sun or can it tolerate partial shade?

  • Magic Carpet Spirea performs best in full sun, where it develops the brightest foliage colors and most abundant blooms. While it can tolerate some partial shade, you'll get less vibrant burgundy spring growth and fewer pink flowers. Plant in the sunniest spot available for optimal color display.

What type of soil does Magic Carpet Spirea prefer and what pH level?

  • Magic Carpet Spirea thrives in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. This adaptable shrub tolerates various soil types once established and becomes drought tolerant. Plant in full sun for the brightest foliage colors and best flowering performance available at naturehills.com.

How often should I water Magic Carpet Spirea after planting?

  • Water newly planted Magic Carpet Spirea regularly for the first growing season to establish roots. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during this period. Once established, this drought-tolerant shrub needs minimal watering except during extended dry spells.

Is Magic Carpet Spirea deer resistant?

  • Magic Carpet Spirea is generally deer resistant, though hungry deer may occasionally browse it during harsh winters or droughts. The plant's tough nature and compact size make it less appealing to deer than many other shrubs. Plant it in sunny locations where it thrives best for maximum deer resistance.

How much pruning does Magic Carpet Spirea require for maintenance?

  • Magic Carpet Spirea requires minimal pruning for best performance. After the June bloom, shear the entire plant back by 1/3 with hedge clippers to encourage a strong summer rebloom. This quick task takes just minutes and keeps the plant tidy and flowering through fall.

Find Your Garden's Growing Zone!

Your Current Growing Zone:

Zone

ZIP Code:

✓ Growing Zone Set Successfully!

Your zone has been saved and will be used throughout the site.

⚠ Unable to locate a growing zone for that ZIP code.

Please check your ZIP code and try again.

Looking up your growing zone...

When ordering a tree or plant, make sure to know your planting zone.

You can determine your garden's USDA hardiness zone by entering your Zip Code below.