Spiraea japonica ‘Firelight’ – A Compact Shrub with Fiery Foliage

The Spiraea japonica ‘Firelight’ is a compact, colourful deciduous shrub that provides long-lasting seasonal interest in the garden. Loved for its bright, fiery foliage and summer flowers, it is one of the most versatile and easy-to-grow shrubs available. In spring, the leaves emerge a glowing orange-red before maturing to yellow-green in summer. During June and July, the shrub is topped with clusters of small pink flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

As autumn approaches, the foliage once again changes colour, turning vivid shades of red and orange, ensuring this little shrub earns its keep through every season. With its neat, bushy growth and striking leaf colour, ‘Firelight’ is perfect for borders, low hedges, or container planting.

General Information

Spiraea japonica ‘Firelight’ is part of the Japanese spiraea family, renowned for their hardiness, compact growth, and colourful displays.

• Habit: Dense, mound-forming deciduous shrub with bushy branching.

• Height & spread: Typically 60–75cm tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens.

• Foliage: Leaves emerge orange-red in spring, turning yellow-green in summer, and finishing with glowing red and orange tones in autumn.

• Flowers: Flat clusters of pink blooms in early to mid-summer, providing nectar for pollinators.

• Position: Best in full sun for the strongest foliage colours, though it will tolerate partial shade.

• Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained soil preferred; tolerates a wide range including clay, chalk, or sandy soils.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy across the UK and Ireland, tolerating frost and cold winters.

• Uses: Perfect for borders, edging paths, low hedging, container planting, or mass planting for groundcover.

This variety is especially valued for its ever-changing foliage colour, ensuring visual interest from spring right through to autumn.

Care Guide

Spiraea japonica ‘Firelight’ is a low-maintenance shrub that thrives with just a little seasonal care.

Planting

• When to plant: Best in spring or autumn, though container-grown plants can be planted at any time.

• Depth & spacing: Plant at the same depth as the pot; space 60–75cm apart for group planting or hedging.

• Preparation: Improve heavy or poor soils with compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting.

Watering & Feeding

• Water regularly in the first year to help roots establish.

• Once mature, it is drought-tolerant but flowers and foliage will look best with occasional watering in prolonged dry spells.

• Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring to encourage fresh growth and vibrant colour.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Cut back previous year’s flowering stems to encourage fresh shoots and abundant flowers.

• Every 3–4 years, remove a few older woody stems at the base to rejuvenate the plant.

• Deadhead faded flowers in summer to extend the blooming season.

• Mulch annually with compost or bark to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Protection

• Fully hardy, with no winter protection required.

• Rarely troubled by pests or diseases, making it an easy-care shrub.

Why Choose Spiraea japonica ‘Firelight’?

This compact, fiery shrub offers a changing display of colour throughout the seasons with very little effort required.

• Season-long colour: Orange-red spring growth, summer flowers, and fiery autumn foliage.

• Compact size: Perfect for smaller gardens, edging, or container planting.

• Wildlife-friendly: Flowers attract bees and butterflies.

• Hardy and reliable: Thrives in most soils and conditions.

• Low-maintenance: Easy to grow, prune, and care for.

The Spiraea japonica ‘Firelight’ is a true multi-season performer, combining compact growth with stunning colour changes from spring to autumn. Whether planted as a single feature shrub, grouped for low hedging, or used in containers to brighten up patios, it delivers reliable charm and beauty all year long.

• Size
  3 lt

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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