An all-round brilliant performer in almost any garden situation, boasting dark orange foliage in spring, changing to golden yellow in summer and fiery golden-orange shades in autumn. All summer long, large pink flowers provide an outstanding display and are particularly attractive to butterflies. Spiraea japonica ?Double Play Gold? is a deciduous shrub which looks superb planted on mass and individually, in borders and wildlife gardens. Easy to care for and very resilient, perfect for beginner gardeners and those looking for sudden impact. Height and spread: 90cm (3?).
Bring a bit of fun into the garden with the fluffy scarlet flower spikes of Astilbe japonica 'Montgomery'. The finely divided leaves emerge with a bronze tone in spring before developing the green foliage that forms the backdrop to the scarlet flowers which will turn heads during June and July. Astilbe, which is also known as False Goatsbeard will thrive in sun or partial shade but also where there is lots of moisture so if you have difficult damp spots in your garden borders, woodland areas or if you can spare the time to keep a patio pot well watered then this is the plant you've been looking for. Height: 70cm (28). Spread: 45cm (18).
Astilbe japonica 'Washington' is a variety of Astilbe. They are renowned as a plant that does well in damp areas of the garden. 'Washington' has fluffy white panicles of flowers on upright stems, with dark green foliage. It looks fantastic planted alongside Hostas, Ferns and other varieties of Astilbe, such as 'Elizabeth van Veen' which has deep pink flower spikes, as a contrast to the subtle white of 'Washington'. It flowers between June and July, and likes a full sun or partial shade position. Height and spread: 50cm (20).
A striking dwarf evergreen shrub whose light green leaves have fine white margins. Pieris japonica 'Little Heath' is perfect for adding winter interest to the garden, where it forms a colourful tidy mound. The new spring foliage is flushed purple and is followed by lovely racemes of creamy, bell-shaped flowers emerging from pink buds. Thanks to its small size Pieris 'Little Heath' is fantastic for the front of borders or patio containers where the flowers also attract pollinating insects. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
If you are looking for a colourful plant for damp areas of the garden, then Astilbe japonica 'Elisabeth van Veen' is a great choice. It has feathery panicles of lush pink flowers on upright stems and clumps of finely divided leaves. False Goatsbeard can be planted in borders or patio planters and is fine in sun or partial shade. It looks great planted alongside Hostas and Ferns. Height and spread: 50cm (20).
Like magic, the new leaves of this compact deciduous shrub emerge a rich crimson, gradually maturing through to yellow and soft lime! New shoots continue to emerge throughout the growing season for a continuous show of colour and are complimented by clusters of bright pink fluffy flowers in mid to late summer. Spiraea japonica 'Magic Carpet' is easy to grow and excellent for mixed borders, coastal gardens and cottage gardens where the flowers attract pollinating insects. This exciting new Japanese Spiraea has been awarded a prestigious RHS AGM for its outstanding qualities. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
A firm favourite for adding a tropical note to gardens, Fatsia japonica is a fast-growing, low maintenance shrub. Hardy and evergreen, its architectural value stems from it glossy, palmate leaves, which are 45cm (18?) wide and weatherproof. A robust and long-lasting shrub, Fatsia japonica is perfect for adding instant impact, filling gaps in borders and planting in patio pots. Its globular white flowers are popular with pollinating insects in summer, and are followed by black seedpods in autumn. Happy in sun or shade, Fatsia japonica holds an RHS AGM and loves fertile and moist, well-drained soil. Height and spread: 2.5m (8.2').
Chaenomeles japonica 'Sargentii' is a delightful shrub that has tangerine orange flowers, in spring, as the leaves emerge in March. The flowers then are followed by quince fruits, which turn golden as autumn arrives. They are not suitable for eating raw, but make a scrumptious jam. As well as a standalone shrub in a border, it can also be trained up sunny walls and fences, offering a vibrant backdrop to flowering spring bulbs in garden borders or planters. Height: 1m (3'). Spread: 2m (6').
Kerria japonica 'Golden Guinea', also known as the ?Japanese Rose?, is an easy-to-grow deciduous shrub with arching stems that are filled with yellow flowers in spring. The original Kerria japonica cultivar was discovered by William Kerr, a young gardener from Kew who was employed by the East India Company in 1804 to search for undiscovered plants in China to be brought back to grow in British gardens. ?Golden Guinea? is bigger and brighter than those original plants, holding an RHS AGM. A good shrub for cottage and woodland style gardens, it will fill the garden with colour during the bleak winter months. Height: 2m (6',5). Spread: 2.5m (8').
Pieris japonica 'Passion' is at its best in spring, when its whorled, vivid red foliage appears alongside a profusion of small, red-pink flowers. Easy to maintain and compact, this ?Lily of the Valley Shrub? needs minimal pruning, but can be kept pruned to a required size (and this will encourage vigorous flowering). Pieris japonica 'Passion' is happiest growing in borders with acidic soil, or containers filled with ericaceous (acid) compost. Height and Spread: 2.5m (8').
Spiraea japonica 'Gold Mound' is a compact, deciduous shrub with fresh, lime green foliage and panicles of pink and white florets in summer. It is best planted in a full sun or partial sun position, but can grow fine in exposed areas, making it ideal for coastal gardens or gardens with no fence or high trees to shelter it from harsh winds. It looks great planted in lines, along the edge of wide borders in big gardens, or as a stand alone shrub in small gardens. Height and spread: 1m (39).
Impressive displays of bright pink flowers appear from mid to late summer against a backdrop of yellow-green foliage. Japanese Spireas are an excellent choice for wildlife gardens as they are adored by butterflies and other beneficial insects. Spiraea japonica ?Green and Gold? is a robust deciduous shrub that is a worthy addition to any border, as it is low maintenance and very easy to grow. Height and spread: 120cm (48?).