Oregon Grape vs Neon Flash Spiraea - TreeTime.ca

Oregon Grape vs Neon Flash Spiraea

Berberis aquifolium (Mahonia aquifolium)

Spiraea japonica Neon Flash

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Oregon Grape
Neon Flash Spiraea

Oregon Grape is an evergreen shrub native to North America, found along the Pacific coast. In spring, the bright golden-yellow flowers appear in clusters above the leaves. These flowers eventually give way to edible blue berries in late summer. While not a true grape, the berries appear grape-like due to their colouring and clustered growth. They can be eaten fresh, but the sour taste and high amounts of natural pectin make them well suited for preserves.

The Oregon Grape has leaves that are glossy, leathery, and spiny-edged. This feature gives it its alternate name of Holly-leaved Barberry. When the leaves emerge in the spring they are a bronze-red colour. In the summer they transition to green, followed by bright red to deep burgundy in the fall. Leaves are retained throughout the winter and colder temperatures cause the leaves to turn purplish bronze, providing year round interest to the landscape.

Neon Flash Spiraea is a colorful, low maintenance, and multi-purpose shrub.

Late spring to fall you'll be drawn to its vibrant neon red blooms that rest on a neat mound of green foliage. If deer and rabbit are an issue on your property, consider planting Neon Flash Spiraea for its deer/rabbit resistance. Its tolerance of a variety of well-drained soils makes it an ideal foundation, landscaping, or border plant.

Oregon Grape Quick Facts

Neon Flash Spiraea Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: bright red to deep burgundy
Fall colour: burgundy bronze
Berries: blue to purple, large
Flowers: yellow
Flowers: pale to bright pink
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low