Spiraea bumalda Superstar

The Spiraea (x) bumalda 'Superstar' is a Japanese spirea of small size but well-made and very beautifully coloured from spring to autumn. With a lovely rounded and dense habit, this variety offers young red leaves in summer alongside dark green mature leaves and beautiful, almost red inflorescences. At the end of the season, 'Superstar' takes on beautiful bronze and copper tones. Not demanding and requiring little maintenance, this adorable bush will find its place in all gardens. It will be superb in large borders, shrub beds, and a large container on the terrace.

The 'Superstar' Japanese Spirea ('Denistar') belongs to the rose family. It is a new Canadian cultivar is derived from Spiraea bumalda, a horticultural hybrid resulting from cross-breeding of two Asian species, Spiraea japonica and S. albiflora. The growth of this plant is fast, and its adult size will reach, on average 1m (3ft) in height and 1.20m (4ft) in width. Forming a large cushion with a bushy and dense habit, this variety displays foliage that changes colour over time and seasons, creating a beautiful setting for its flowers' very intense pink colour. It consists of small oblong and dentate leaves. The flowers appear on the current year's wood in June-July and again until the end of summer if the faded blooms are removed. They are grouped in medium-sized terminal corymbs, about 6-8cm (2-3in) wide and slightly spherical. They are generally almost red-pink, with many small magenta-pink flowers with a purple centre. This prolonged flowering is also melliferous and nectariferous, attracting many butterflies, bees, and bumblebees. The deciduous foliage falls in autumn.

The 'Superstar' Spirea is a top-quality variety for landscaping. It will adapt to all climates and soils except for scorching or excessively arid situations. This plant works wonders in a low hedge or to form the framework of a bed of small bushes, but also when planted in large borders along a path, in front of taller shrubs. Combine the Japanese Spirea with white, pink, or mauve roses, for example, and with pink shrubby potentillas and physocarpes. You can place it at the front of a country hedge, accompanied by dwarf spireas (Spiraea betulifolia), dwarf red willow (Salix purpurea nana), dwarf Manchurian lilac Miss Kim, unique alternate-leaved butterfly bush (Buddleia alternifolia 'Unique'), or dwarf Weigela (Nana purpurea).