Plant Min Zone: 5a
Plant Max Zone: 9b
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Water / Rainfall: Average, High
Soil Quality: Average, Rich
Bloom Season: Summer
Flower Color: White
Berry / Fruit Color: Insignificant
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Reddish Purple, Red, Orange, Yellow
Evergreen Foliage: Some
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: Yes
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Wet-Feet Tolerance: High
Humidity Tolerance: High
Wind Tolerance: Low, Medium
Poor Soil Tolerance: Clay Soils, Sandy Soils, Acidic Soil (low PH)
Height: 1.5' - 2.5'
Width: 1.5' - 2.5'
Growth Rate: Slow
Service Life: Long: 5-10 years
Maintenance Need: Low
Spreading Potential: Extremely Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Shrub to Desired Size After Bloom in Late Spring or Summer: Blooms on Old Wood.
Plant Grouping Size: Small Grouping of 3-5, Medium Grouping of 5-10
Best Side of House: East Exposure, North Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Tolerates Periods of Standing Water, Tolerates Damp Full Shade, Resistant to Rabbits, Base of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Long Lasting Fall Color, Multiple Seasons of Interest, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: Erosion Control, Hedge Row
Possible Pest Problems: None
Plant Limitations: Susceptible to Iron Chlorosis, Needs Regular Irrigation, Needs Thick Winter Mulch
Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) is a native shrub found along creeks and streams in the eastern United States. Foliage consists of a simple leaf, medium to light green, and usually glossy. White cascading flowers cover the plants in spring for about a month with pollinators flocking to the occasion. Fall color is outstanding shades of red and purple. Leaves cling to the stem and are very persistent down to about 10-15°F often finally dropping in December. Stems during the winter take on an attractive reddish-brown and green coloring. Sweetspire is truly a four-season shrub! In the landscape, combine with native plants, hardy tropicals, or summer flowering plants. These plants can tolerate saturated soils and are perfect for rain gardens or any other rich soil garden areas. North exposures are fine in zone 6 but not any further north as winter kill becomes a problem in zone 5. Water is usually the limiting factor in southern climates zone 7-9. Sweetspire is highly sensitive to iron chlorosis so avoid alkaline soils. In our eastern Kansas climate, we avoid afternoon sun and dry soils. Full shade is tolerated but not dry shade. Fall color will be reduced or nonexistent in full shade. Morning sun is best for avoiding leaf burn but still allowing fall coloring. Overall, this is a great garden plant when sited in the right conditions. Itea virginica 'Merlot' features more mounded, compact stature and more persistant burgundy fall color making it an improvement over older varieties such as the old favorite 'Henry's Garnet'. Flowers are scented!