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Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea
Spiraea fritschiana ‘J.N. Select A’
Description & Overview
A Johnson’s Nursery origination; J.N. Plant Selections introduction, Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea is a pink flowering cultivar of Fritsch Spirea, selected by Mike Yanny at Johnson’s Nursery. In spring, purple-pink buds explode into heavy clusters of purple-pink flowers! The fall color of this selection ranges from apricot-yellow and pink to chartreuse and orange. An excellent dense branching habit makes this shrub useful for a variety of landscape applications. Unlike other Spiraeas, Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spiraea does not produce viable seedlings and will not create a weed problem in the landscape. Great for mass planting!
Core Characteristics
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Suggested Uses:
Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea is highly versatile and tolerates shade better than other Spirea cultivars. Its compact habit does well as a foundation plant, informal low hedge, mass planting in dappled shade, or as a specimen. Its coarse texture is unique and makes a nice alternative to more commonly used foundation plants.
Salable #2 container. Pictures taken late-September, just before fall color!
Salable #2 container. Pictures taken late-September, just before fall color!
Wildlife Value:
Although no native species is dependent on Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea, the June flowers attract butterflies and bees.
Maintenance Tips:
Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea benefits from winter pruning to shape the plant. You may use Thinning Cuts for a more open appearance, or the Haircut Method for a more manicured form. After blooming in spring, Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea can be deadheaded. This may encourage a second bloom, but it is not guaranteed.
If overgrown or old, you can use severe Rejuvenation Pruning on Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea to encourage a healthy flush of new growth. This should not be an annual pruning cut, however, as this will deplete the shrub’s nutrient reserves if done regularly.
Pests/Problems:
Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea has no serious disease or insect issues. In areas with poor airflow or high moisture, the leaves can develop leaf spot or powdery mildew. Proper pruning to improve airflow can minimize these issues.
This shrub is deer resistant and not a preferred food source.
Leaf Lore:
Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea was selected by Mike Yanny in 2000 from a group of open-pollinated Fritsch Spirea. The likely pollen parent is Norman Spirea. Unlike its white-flowered mother, Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea has abundant purplish-pink, flat-topped clusters of flowers in June. As a polyploid, Pink-a-licious™ cannot set viable seed. The plant will not self-seed in the landscape unlike other Spiraeas and can be used in mass plantings without fear of the shrub becoming weedy.
This cultivar has a wonderful compact habit, growing 2-3’ tall by 2-3’ wide in Southern Wisconsin. The fall color on this plant can be an outstanding combination of colors, from pineapple yellow and watermelon pink to honeydew chartreuse and cantaloupe orange.
Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea is easy to grow, requires full sun to partial shade, and is tolerant of a wide range of soil types. A great plant for many sites!
Companion Plants:
When used as a foundation planting, Pink-a-licious™ Fritsch Spirea can be used with tidy foreground perennials. Consider using Summer Peek-a-boo Allium, Little Goldstar Black Eyed Susan, or Palace Purple Coralbells to contrast color, texture, and flowering times.
