Itea virginica
Virginia sweetspire

Notes:

Sunset says no good in zone 37 (stops at 34 and 39).

Sandy soil tolerance is debated (Dove/Woolridge and JerseyYards.org vs. White Oak and the USDA). Native to wetlands, swamps, and stream banks. Flowering and fall color are better with at least some direct sunlight.

Flowers are honey-scented.

Despite being native, sweetspire is listed by Doug Tallamy as supporting no butterfly/moth larvae, while the National Wildlife Federation lists it as hosting only one species.

'Henry's Garnet' has earned the PHS Gold Medal Award. 'Sprich' (Little Henry) is more compact but will still get as big as 'Henry's Garnet' according to both Dirr and UConn, despite the marketing claims. 'Merlot' is compact to about 3'.

Sources: White Oak, Sunset, Dove/Woolridge, NCSU, OSU, JerseyYards.org, UConn, Odenwald/Turner, USDA, Bir, Druse.

Buy 'Henry's Garnet' at PlantingTree.com (affiliate link; supports this website)

Tags:

acidic soil preferred
attracts:bees
attracts:birds (ex-humming)
attracts:butterflies
attracts:hummingbirds
clay tolerant
compacted soil tolerant
exposure:full sun
exposure:part shade
fall color notable
fine texture
fire risk low
form:multi-trunked
form:shrub
fragrant flowers
habit:arching
habit:rounded
habit:upright
infertile soil tolerant
native:eastern North America
part shade preferred
persistence:deciduous
persistence:semievergreen
pest/disease free
PHS Gold Medal Award
pruning not required
rich soil preferred
salt intolerant
short-lived
showy flowers
stoloniferous/suckering
type:broadleaf
use:border
use:container
use:foundation
use:groundcover
use:hedge
use:mass planting
use:naturalizing
use:specimen
water:regular
weedy
wet soil tolerant
wind tolerant
WON high-value plant


Back to the previous page