Spirea 'Pink Parasols' (Spirea fritschiana)
This improved spirea has more to offer than its extra-large pink "umbrellas" of flowers in early summer. At only 2 to 3 feet in height and a generous 4 to 5 feet wide, it can be grouped for a tall groundcover or used singly as a specimen plant.
Its neat blue-green foliage turns vivid orange and red in fall. Put this plant in just about any soil type, give it full sun, and it will reward you with a low-maintenance shrub that is also deer-resistant. It does, however, require good drainage.
'Pink Parasols' is a new variety of an old standby, Korean spirea. While Japanese spirea has been known to seed invasively in some Mid-Atlantic areas, you can plant this spirea with no worries.
[LEW SHELL, MARYLAND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE]