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Virginia sweetspire

Scientific Name: Itea virginica

Family: Grossulariaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: IN (Virginia willow), PA (Virginia willow)

       

Virginia Sweetspire: A Garden Gem

Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) is a beautiful deciduous shrub known for its fragrant flowers and vibrant fall foliage. It's a popular choice for gardeners seeking versatility and visual appeal.

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • Berries: The plant produces berries that attract birds.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Itea virginica
  • Common Names: Virginia sweetspire, Virginia willow, sweetspire, tassel-white
  • Family: Iteaceae (formerly Saxifragaceae)
  • Type: Deciduous shrub
  • Cultivars: Popular cultivars include 'Henry's Garnet', 'Little Henry' (also known as 'Sprich'), and 'Merlot'.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to eastern North America.
  • Found in the southern United States, as far north as New Jersey (zone 6, possibly 5).
  • Grows in moist, wet areas, as well as upland sites.
  • Common in the Coastal Plain and eastern half of North Carolina.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Mound-shaped, slender-branched shrub.
  • Typically grows to a height of 3 to 8 feet, with cultivars like 'Henry's Garnet' reaching 3-5 feet. Dwarf varieties like 'Little Henry' have a more compact stature.
  • Spread is generally 4 to 6 feet.
  • Shrub with slender upright branches that eventually arch over, usually wider than tall.
  • Bark of the trunk or larger branches is gray to brown and slightly wrinkled or fissured.
  • Leaves turn red to purple in the fall and can last well into the winter.
  • Deciduous to semievergreen habit.

Ecological Role

  • Attracts butterflies.
  • Berries provide food for birds.

Flowering and Bloom Time

  • Blooms in May to June.
  • Fragrant, white flower spikes, 3-6 inches long, that droop.
  • Flowers bloom on the previous season's growth.

Cultivation and Adaptability

  • Grows well in sun or shade.
  • Adaptable to boggy soil as well as average garden soil.
  • Adaptable to a wide variety of environmental conditions.
  • Grows in zones 5 to 9.
  • Displays good resistance to chlorosis.

Quirky Facts

  • Virginia Sweetspire was chosen as the Plant of the Year by GNPS members in 2007.

Further Information

  • Monrovia offers details and information on their Little Henry Dwarf Virginia Sweetspire.
  • Dave's Garden provides a community forum for sharing gardening tips and ideas.
  • The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service provides information on Sweetspire.