Spirea Magic Carpet is a compact, low-growing shrub that features vibrant foliage and pretty pink flowers in the spring and summer. This plant is easy to care for and can be a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape. To ensure the longevity and health of the Spirea Magic Carpet, there are a few care methods to follow. **Location:** Plan to plant the Spirea Magic Carpet in an area that receives full sun or partial shade. This plant prefers well-draining soil, so make sure the location provides this condition. Additionally, the Magic Carpet is cold-hardy, but it may benefit from some protection in harsh winter climates.
Around 1990 David Tristram, at the Walberton Nursery in West Sussex, England, collected some seed from a plant of ‘Goldflame’. He chose the best and most compact plants among the seedlings, let them seed and did it all again. He did it one more time and among those third-generation seedlings was a unique plant that he named ‘Walbuma’. It was patented in 1995 (PP# 9,363, now expired), and this is the plant widely known and sold as the Magic Carpet Spirea.
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. The bright-pink flowers are small, but they make up for it in their abundance, with up to 200 flowers in a single cluster, and many clusters all across the plant.
Additionally, the Magic Carpet is cold-hardy, but it may benefit from some protection in harsh winter climates. **Watering:** The Spirea Magic Carpet requires regular watering during the establishment period, typically the first year after planting. Once established, it can withstand periods of drought but will thrive with occasional watering during dry spells.
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.
The key is to avoid over-watering, as this can lead to root rot or other issues. **Pruning:** Pruning is essential for maintaining the shape and size of the Spirea Magic Carpet. The best time to prune is during late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead or damaged branches, as well as older wood to encourage new growth and rejuvenation. Aim to create a neat and compact appearance. **Fertilization:** Spirea Magic Carpet benefits from regular fertilization to promote healthy growth and abundant flowering. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring or use a liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding application rates and timing. **Pest and Disease Control:** Generally, Spirea Magic Carpet is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, it is always a good idea to monitor the plant for any signs of trouble. Aphids and spider mites can occasionally infest the foliage, so inspect regularly and take appropriate measures if necessary. Applying insecticidal soap or neem oil can help control these pests. **Mulching:** Adding mulch around the base of the Magic Carpet shrub can provide several benefits. It helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and insulates the roots in extreme temperatures. Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or bark, around 2-3 inches thick. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the base of the plant to prevent rot. In summary, the Spirea Magic Carpet is a stunning and easy-to-care-for plant. By providing the right location, regular watering, timely pruning, appropriate fertilization, and monitoring for pests and diseases, you can ensure the health and vitality of this beautiful shrub..
Reviews for "The Benefits of Mulching for Spirea Magic Carpet"
1. Emma - 1 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Spirea magic carpet care methods". The methods they suggested did not work for me at all. I followed the instructions carefully, but my spirea plants ended up with yellow leaves and stunted growth. I was expecting this product to help me improve the health and appearance of my plants, but it had the opposite effect. I would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2 out of 5 stars - The "Spirea magic carpet care methods" claim to be effective in maintaining healthy spirea plants, but I did not see any noticeable improvement in my plants after using their methods. The instructions were also unclear and lacking in detail. I had to do my own research to figure out how to properly care for my spirea plants. Overall, I was disappointed with this product and would not purchase it again.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for the "Spirea magic carpet care methods" to help me with my spirea plants, but I was left disappointed. The methods suggested were time-consuming and required a lot of effort, but my plants did not show any significant improvement. Additionally, some of the tips contradicted what I had previously learned about spirea care. I think there are better resources available for spirea plant care, so I would not recommend this product.