Dakota Goldcharm® Spirea, spiraea japonica 'Mertyann', has showy golden foliage that is accented by bright pink flowers blooming in early summer, repeating through the remainder of the season. The foliage emerges bronze, turns yellow-gold in summer and develops a pink-red fall color. Dakota Goldcharm Spirea is more or less a miniature version of Goldflame or Goldmound Spirea, with foliage that starts a deep red, fading to a yellowish green by late spring. Certainly a plant to locate at the front of a planting bed, otherwise it will be lost among the taller perennials and shrubs. It prefers loamy soil with full to partial sun. This mounded shrub grows 15-18 inches tall with 2 -3 foot spread. Since it is so small, it can also be used as a groundcover. Spireas are among the easiest flowering shrubs to grow since they are tolerant of many soils except extremely wet. The plant also likes mulch and summer watering.