Itea virginica

Plant Family

Grossulariaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Itea virginica

Photo by: GERALD L. KLINGAMAN

Plant Common Name

Virginia Sweetspire

General Description

Beautiful early summer blooms and fine fall color make Virginia sweetspire an outstanding hardy shrub for the landscape. A native to the moist ravines of the southeastern United States, this lightly suckering shrub has pretty arching branches and a bushy habit. It bears long, drooping, fragrant panicles of creamy white flowers in late spring to early summer. In fall, its bright green, glossy leaves change to shades of dark red, burgundy and orange red and persist on the stem through part of the winter. Its arching dark green stems turn dark purple-red when exposed to direct sunlight.

Sweetspire tolerates full sun to shade and thrives in average, evenly moist soil. There are many outstanding cultivars to include the dwarf ‘Little Henry’ and ‘Merlot’, which has fine fall color. This pretty shrub looks best when planted in masses or deftly incorporated into a mixed border.

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'-10' / 0.9m - 3.0m (5)

• Width

  3'-8' / 0.9m - 2.4m (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

• Bark Color

  Burgundy, Dark Green, Brown

• 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, Mixed Border

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Attracts

  Butterflies

• Self-Sowing

  Yes