Spirea

About this plant

Spiraea 'Empire Northern Lights Portfolio' is a dazzling deciduous shrub prized for its dynamic foliage and charming floral display. This compact variety emerges in spring with brilliant golden-yellow leaves, gradually transitioning to fresh green for summer, and culminating in a fiery autumn spectacle of reds, oranges, and purples. Its continuous color show makes it an exceptional choice for adding year-round vibrancy to any garden. Beyond its stunning leaves, this Spirea produces clusters of delicate, rosy-pink flowers from late spring into summer, attracting pollinators and adding a soft texture to the landscape. Its mounded, tidy habit makes it an excellent choice for foundation plantings, borders, mass plantings, or even in decorative containers. Hardy and adaptable, 'Empire Northern Lights Portfolio' thrives in a variety of conditions, requiring minimal maintenance once established. It's an ideal plant for both seasoned gardeners and those new to horticulture, promising a high-impact display with little effort.

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

Plant in well-drained soil. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges to maintain shape and encourage vigorous flowering. Deadhead spent blooms to promote reblooming. 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.