Alternatives to Goldflame Spirea

Flower Display

• For gardeners who admire the flowers of "Goldflame," common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) or the summersweet cultivar "Sixteen Candles" (Clethra alnifolia "Sixteen Candles") may be ideal alternatives. Common lilac boasts flower spikes in shades of white, magenta, pink or purple. Flowers are often intoxicatingly fragrant. Common lilac may be grown in USDA zones 3 to 7, producing its best flower show in a full sun location with regular irrigation. Suitable for USDA zones 4 to 9, "Sixteen Candles" offers spires of white, extremely fragrant blooms. "Sixteen Candles" is tolerant of full sun and partial shade. Both shrubs are tolerant of a range of soil types.

Chartreuse Foliage

• For those who love the golden green foliage of "Goldflame," Golden Spirit (Cotinus coggygria "Ancot") is an attractive alternative that offers broad, chartreuse foliage. Golden Spirit is a trademarked smoketree cultivar that produces small flower spikes in spring followed by fuzzy seed panicles in summer. The shrub may be grown in USDA zones 5 to 8. The plant is best with moderate moisture in an infertile loam. The weigela cultivar "Olympiade" (Weigela "Olympiade" Briant Rubidor), which is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, also showcases chartreuse foliage, as well as hot pink flowers. Both shrubs require full sunlight and good drainage.

Fall Color

• Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is a compact shrub that showcases smooth bluish green leaves that turn rich shades of orange, red and purple in the fall. Additionally, the plant produces yellow blooms followed by bright red berries that last well into winter and are attractive to birds. Witch-alder (Fothergilla major) produces oval-shaped, glossy green leaves that display spectacular hues of orange, yellow and purple in autumn. Both witch-alder and Japanese barberry will grow in full sunlight or partial shade in USDA zones 4 to 8. Japanese barberry grows well in average soils, while witch-alder prefers moist, humus-rich conditions.

Butterfly Attraction

• Like "Goldflame," butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) and chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) are irresistible to butterflies, attracting the winged creatures in droves. Butterfly bush thrives in full or partial sun in USDA zones 5 to 10, growing in well- draining, average soil. Once established, the plant is drought-tolerant. Pinch back dead flower clusters to encourage a longer bloom period. Suitable for USDA zones 6 to 10, chaste tree produces bluish or purple butterfly-attracting flowers. The shrub will grow in a sunny or shady location, where it prefers moist soil.