Mafic carpet Japanese spirea, or Spiraea japonica 'Mafic', is a low-growing, spreading shrub that is prized for its colorful foliage and compact size. It belongs to the Rosaceae family and is native to Japan, China, and Korea. This cultivar of Japanese spirea features dark green leaves that turn a vibrant purplish-red color in the fall. The foliage is also attractive in the spring and summer, with new growth emerging as a deep maroon color before maturing to green. The leaves are lance-shaped and have serrated edges. Mafic carpet Japanese spirea typically grows to about 8-12 inches in height, with a spread of 12-24 inches.
Back in the 19th century, when Japan was being opened up to trade, many new plants were introduced. One was a shrub with pink flowers that today we know as the Anthony Waterer Spirea, which was brought to England from a Japanese nursery in 1870. Experts disagree about its origins. Some think it is simply a variety of the Japanese spirea, Spiraea japonica. Others think it is a hybrid between that plant and another called Spiraea albiflora and should be called Spiraea x bumalda. For gardeners it doesn’t really matter that much. In 1972 the F.J. Grootendorst nursery, in Boskoop, Holland, introduced a plant that was found as a novel golden-leaf stem growing on ‘Anthony Waterer’. They called it ‘Goldflame’, and it became a garden standard.
You might also like to give it a quick trim once the main flowering is over, to remove the spent flower heads and stimulate some fresh new leaves, but if you don t those flower heads will soon disappear beneath new stems. Plus, its leaves and flowers come earlier, and it doesn t have that annoying habit of sending out plain Jane green stems frequently, which Goldflame is prone to do.
Mafic carpet Japanese spirea typically grows to about 8-12 inches in height, with a spread of 12-24 inches. It forms a dense, mounding habit, making it an excellent choice for groundcover or low borders. In addition to its colorful foliage, Mafic carpet Japanese spirea produces clusters of small pink flowers in late spring and early summer.
Magic Carpet Spirea
The Magic Carpet Spirea is a low-growing deciduous shrub, reaching no more than 2 feet tall, but spreading up to 3 feet wide. It carries a kaleidoscope of leaf colors, starting the year bright red, then turning golden-yellow and ending in fall with glowing russet reds. All through June and July it is covered in clusters of bright pink blooms, and it makes a great addition to even the smallest garden. Perfect for filling the fronts of beds, making borders, or planting on slopes, it is an easy, trouble-free way to brighten your garden without adding garden work to your busy schedule.
- Bright red new leaves bring spring color
- Golden yellow leaves all summer long
- Pink flowers through the summer months
- Fall leaves are russet-red
- Tough and reliable low-growing shrub
Grow the Magic Carpet Spirea in full sun for the best colors and blooming. Unlike its parent, the Goldflame Spirea, it won’t send up plain green stems, and it sprouts earlier in the year too. Hardy in zone 3, but heat resistant even in zone 8, it grows in any well-drained soil, even in urban conditions. Pests and diseases are never a problem. A simple annual trim is all the work needed – and that is optional.
Spirea bushes are among the most reliable and hardy of all our garden shrubs. This is especially true with the ones that have colored foliage, and of them all, the stand-out variety is the Goldflame spirea. With its bright red and golden foliage, it is one of the most useful plants for filling spaces in the garden with color but little work. But sometimes it is too large, reaching 3 or 4 feet tall, and just as wide, and it has some other faults as well. That’s when you need the Magic Carpet Spirea, and the name says it all. Low growing to no more than 2 feet, but spreading up to 3 feet wide, this beauty has all the great coloring of Goldflame – in fact the new leaves are even redder. Plus, its leaves and flowers come earlier, and it doesn’t have that annoying habit of sending out ‘plain Jane’ green stems frequently, which Goldflame is prone to do. It is just as tough and reliable though, so if you love color and you don’t want tall, then this is a magic carpet ride you definitely want to take.
These flowers attract butterflies and bees, adding to the plant's visual appeal and supporting pollinators. This spirea cultivar is hardy in USDA zones 4-8, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning and only occasional watering once established. Mafic carpet Japanese spirea can be used in various landscape settings, including rock gardens, borders, or mass plantings. Its low-growing nature and dense habit also make it useful for filling in gaps between taller plants or along slopes. Overall, Mafic carpet Japanese spirea is a versatile, attractive shrub that adds color and texture to the garden. Its compact size and easy care requirements make it a popular choice for both novice and experienced gardeners..
Reviews for "Mafic Carpet Japanese Spirea: A Low-Maintenance Beauty"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Mafic carpet Japanese spirea. I had heard such great things about this plant, but it just did not perform in my garden. The color of the foliage was not as vibrant as I had expected, and it seemed to struggle with the heat and humidity. I followed all the planting and care instructions, but it just never thrived. I ended up removing it from my garden and replacing it with a different plant that has been much more successful.
2. John - 1 star - I do not recommend the Mafic carpet Japanese spirea. I found it to be incredibly finicky and difficult to care for. Despite giving it proper sunlight, water, and fertilization, the plant just did not flourish. The foliage had a dull appearance, and it never produced any notable blooms. It was a disappointment and a waste of money for me. I would suggest considering other options before choosing this particular spirea for your garden.
3. Lisa - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Mafic carpet Japanese spirea, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The plant had a difficult time adjusting to my garden, and it struggled to establish itself. Even with proper care, it did not have the lush, dense growth that I was anticipating. The overall appearance was lackluster, and it did not add much visual interest to my landscape. I ended up removing it and replacing it with a different shrub that has been much more successful and aesthetically pleasing.
4. Mark - 1 star - I regret purchasing the Mafic carpet Japanese spirea. I found it to be a very slow grower and it did not provide the vibrant foliage color that it was advertised to have. The plant also seemed to attract pests more than my other shrubs, which was disappointing. Overall, it was a disappointing addition to my garden and I would not recommend it to others.