Spring may be ready to bloom, but GINA PARKINSON finds that foliage can also be beautiful at this time of year

SPRING blooms are always welcome in the garden as beds and borders begin to show signs of life, but new foliage can also be beautiful at this time of year.

The popular, easy-to-grow deciduous shrub Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame' is such a plant, its dark, twiggy branches covered in coppery red buds and young growth in March and April that develops into golden leaves by early summer.

The foliage gradually fades as it matures, by which time rose-pink flowers have appeared and a mature shrub will grow up to 90cm with a similar spread.

Reversion to green can be a problem with 'Goldflame' but two other varieties are brighter coloured with their summer foliage keeping its colour better.

'Gold Mound' is low and spreading with yellow spring shoots, bright yellow mature leaves and pink flowers, while 'Golden Princess' is rounder and more compact with bronze shoots, golden yellow leaves and pink flowers. The vigorous 'Anthony Waterer' is stronger growing than most of the coloured leafed forms, reaching a height of 120cm with a similar spread. Its leaves are sometimes tinged with pink or cream and the large, flat, long lasting flowerheads are carmine pink and carried from July to September.

'Dart's Red' is similar in size and looks but has deeper coloured flowers.

Planting details:

Spiraea japonica is easy to grow and the smaller growing coloured-leafed forms are ideal for spring interest in a small garden.

SOIL: It will tolerate most reasonable soils but should not be planted on thin chalk or in very dry conditions.

SITE: Sun or light shade.

PRUNING: Summer flower species such as Spiraea japonica flower on growth made in the current year. New shoots should be trimmed back and some of the older stems removed to keep the bush in shape and encourage new growth. Hard pruning may be necessary for a neglected shrub - take all the stems back to an outward facing bud just above ground level to rejuvenate the plant.

PROPAGATION: Plant semi-ripe cuttings in a cold frame in summer or hardwood cuttings out in the garden in late autumn.

PROBLEMS: There are few problems. New shoots may suffer damage if there is a sudden heavy frost but will soon produce enough new growth to hide the spoilt leaves; and mildew might be a problem in over-dry conditions.

Updated: 16:16 Friday, March 21, 2003