Northern Lights Spirea

About this plant

The Northern Lights Spirea (Spiraea japonica Empire Northern Lights Portfolio) is a captivating deciduous shrub renowned for its exceptional foliage color and charming floral presence. Throughout spring and summer, its leaves emerge with brilliant gold and lime green hues, transitioning to an array of fiery oranges and reds in the fall, ensuring a season-long spectacle. Beyond its dazzling foliage, 'Northern Lights' offers a delightful pop of color with clusters of soft pink flowers that bloom generously in mid-summer, attracting pollinators and adding a touch of elegance to your garden. This compact and low-maintenance spirea is an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, or as a vibrant accent plant, providing continuous visual interest. Hardy and adaptable, this spirea thrives in a variety of conditions, making it a reliable and rewarding choice for both experienced gardeners and enthusiastic beginners alike. Its disease-resistant nature and resilience further solidify its position as a top-tier selection for lasting beauty.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Requires minimal maintenance once established. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Can be deadheaded to promote additional blooming. Fertilize annually in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.