Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Plant Profile: Spireae thunbergii ‘Ogon’ (Spirea 'Mellow Yellow')

Spireae thunbergii ‘Ogon’ (Spirea 'Mellow Yellow')





The wispy spreading branches of the 'Ogon' are covered with thousands of tiny white flowers in early spring - and last for a few weeks - just before the showy golden yellow leaves appear. And in the fall, the foliage color is almost psychedelic - shades of gold, rusty red and orange.



(Forgive the blurry image, but above is Spirea 'Mellow Yellow' turning colors in the early fall and below is the final fall show!)



Grown in sun or shade, drought-tolerant, and all-around tough plants - all varieties of Spirea are the kings of low-maintenance plants. We joke that you just can't kill these shrubs! However, a good shearing after the 'Mellow Yellow' is done blooming will keep the shrub compact and neat looking (The flowers bloom on old wood so try not to prune it in the summer or fall.)



If you leave the shrub unpruned, it has arching, wispy branches covered with fine textured chartreuse foliage in the summer, and the shrub will reach 3 to 5 feet tall and wide.

It attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.


SPIREA 'MELLOW YELLOW'
DEER RESISTANT SUN PLANT - DEER RESISTANT SHADE PLANT -
LOW MAINTENANCE - BLACK WALNUT TOLERANT
zone 4
3' - 5' tall and wide
blooms: early spring