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Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet'

Image of Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet'

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Grossulariaceae

Botanical Name

Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet'

Plant Common Name

Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire, Virginia Sweetspire

General Description

Prized for its fragrant flowers and its splendid fall color, sweetspire is a small, deciduous, suckering shrub native to the eastern and central United States. The cultivar 'Henry's Garnet' produces relatively large panicles of creamy white flowers in late spring and early summer. In fall its oval bright green leaves change to dark red and purple, persisting into winter. The gracefully arching green or purple stems may die back in severe winters.

This award-winning plant prefers partial to full sun and moist acidic well drained soil. It is an excellent candidate for pathside or patio plantings, where the fragrance of its flowers can be appreciated. Its suckering habit also suits it as a shrubby ground cover for woodland edges or slopes.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 2

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m (5)

  • Width

    3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m (5)

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring, Early Summer

  • Native To

    Southeastern United States

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Thicket/Colonizing

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Ivory

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Burgundy, Dark Red, Orange Red

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Burgundy

  • Bark Color

    Purple, Burgundy, Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Edging, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Mixed Border, Wildflower

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes