Spirea (Spiraea 'NCSX1' DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN)
Discover Spiraea 'NCSX1' DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN, a low-maintenance Spirea shrub with vibrant spring red to chartreuse foliage and red-purple blooms.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Spiraea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN is a superb deciduous shrub valued for its exceptionally colorful foliage display throughout the growing season. This variety of Spirea offers a compact, tidy habit, making it an excellent choice for modern landscapes where space efficiency and year-round interest are prized. Its adaptation to less-than-ideal cultural situations adds significant practical value for home gardeners.
This striking hybrid selection features ovate leaves that emerge bright red in spring, gradually shifting to chartreuse-yellow as summer progresses. Following a flush of deep red-purple blooms in late spring to early summer, the foliage transforms again with fiery red, orange, and purple tones after the autumn frost. Gardening enthusiasts appreciate this Spirea for its low maintenance requirements combined with high ornamental impact.
Reaching only about 2 feet tall and spreading up to 2.5 feet, Spiraea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN attracts butterflies while resisting browsing pressure from deer. Its durability, capable of handling clay soils and salt spray, ensures that this showy Spirea remains a reliable specimen or mass planting choice across USDA Zones 4 through 7.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-7
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Red-purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance and the most vibrant foliage color, establish Spiraea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN in full sun. While it tolerates part shade, reduced sunlight will mute the leaf coloration that makes this cultivar so famous. It thrives in average, well-drained soils but is robust enough to handle moisture-retentive clay soils and even some salt spray exposure, offering flexibility in site selection.
Water needs for this Spirea are medium; ensure consistent moisture, particularly during the establishment phase, though established shrubs show good drought tolerance once settled. Fertilizing is rarely necessary unless the soil is extremely poor. Because Spiraea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN flowers on new wood, pruning should be done sparingly in late winter or very early spring before new growth starts, if shaping is required.
If you wish to encourage a second, smaller flush of bloom, lightly shear or remove faded flower clusters after the initial May to June display ends. Avoid heavy renovation pruning, especially later in the season, as you do not want to stimulate late growth that could be damaged by early frosts. This low-maintenance plant rewards minimal intervention.
Landscape Uses
Spiraea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN excels in mass plantings, creating highly effective drifts of color along property lines or garden borders where its compact size is desirable. Its formal yet colorful presence makes it ideal for use in informal hedges, offering better structure and less maintenance than many traditional hedging materials. Furthermore, its resistance to deer makes it a reliable choice for those challenging perimeter plantings.
Due to its manageable dimensions (reaching only about 2 feet high), this variety incorporates beautifully into foundation plantings near homes or walkways without obscuring architectural features. Consider pairing the vibrant chartreuse-yellow summer foliage of the Spirea with deeper purple or blue-leafed perennials or shrubs for dynamic contrast. It is also perfectly suited for large containers, providing season-long interest near patios or entryways.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Spiraea is a genus of about 80 species of deciduous and semi-evergreen shrubs from North Temperate areas of Europe, Asia and North America including Mexico.Genus name comes from the Greek word speira meaning wreath in reference to the showy flower clusters seen on most shrubs in the genus. The ‘NCSX1’ is a hybrid spiraea selection that features colorful foliage, deep red-purple blooms, and a compact growth habit. Commonly sold at nurseries and garden centers under the name DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN, this plant is protected by patent number PP28313.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
While valued for its hardiness, Spiraea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN can be susceptible to issues common in the rose family (Rosaceae). Gardeners should monitor for leaf spot, powdery mildew, and fire blight, ensuring good air circulation to minimize fungal issues. Pests such as aphids, leaf rollers, and scale can occasionally appear, sometimes following stress or poor cultural habits.
Management involves promptly removing infected foliage to stop disease spread and treating minor insect outbreaks with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Deer tend to avoid this plant altogether, offering a significant advantage in areas with browsing pressure. Proper pruning in late winter helps maintain vigor, which is the best defense against most issues affecting the Spirea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Spirea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN suitable for?
This durable shrub is well-suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7, offering reliable performance across a wide temperate band.
How large does Spirea grow?
Mature plants typically reach a compact height of 1.5 to 2 feet, with a slightly wider spread ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 feet.
What sun exposure does Spirea need?
For the best display of its colorful foliage, plant Spiraea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN in full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade.
When does Spirea bloom?
The colorful terminal flower clusters appear from late spring well into early summer, specifically between May and June, bearing a red-purple hue that attracts pollinators.
Conclusion
The Spiraea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN offers an exceptional combination of four-season interest, compact form, and remarkably low maintenance, making it a must-have for modern perennial and shrub borders. If you are seeking a reliable, colorful specimen that thrives even in challenging clay soil, incorporating this Spirea into your design is highly recommended. Check your local climate to ensure compatibility within USDA Zones 4-7 before planting this spring.
Companion Planting
When landscaping with Spiraea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN, consider pairing it with plants that complement its medium water needs and sun requirements while providing textural contrast. Hostas or Astilbes work well in partial shade locations near the edges where sun exposure is less intense, offering large, deep green foils to the Spirea’s fine texture and bright leaves. In full sun areas, use them alongside creeping sedums or low-growing ornamental grasses to enhance the visual separation between the vibrant foliage of the Spirea and its neighbors.
Design Ideas for Mass Planting
The compact, rounded habit of the Spiraea ‘NCSX1’ DOUBLE PLAY CANDY CORN makes it perfect for creating effective geometric mass plantings. Use it to define the edge of a woodland border or to create a low, formal hedge that requires minimal shaping due to its naturally mounding form. For cottages gardens, allow them to intermingle slightly with taller bloomers like Russian Sage or Coneflowers; their seasonal red-purple blooms will harmonize nicely with the foliage transition.
