This plant has no children Legal Status. This multi-stemmed shrub grows to 12 feet with lustrous dark green leaves that turn stunning shades of maroon, burgundy, and red-purple in the fall. Green or red twigs and persisting leaves and fruit capsules provide winter interest. Best in moist, organic-rich, acidic soil. Virginia Sweetspire . ‘Athens,’ one of the most fragrant cultivars, has pale greenish-yellow blossoms. Image 1378056 is of Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica ) plant(s). The popular selections include euonymus, privet, cherry laurel, nandina, barberry, and Asian azaleas. Prune after flowering. Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire. Sep 26, 2013 - Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) borders on invasive but it is a native plant. Graphics: Marilyn Thomson With perhaps just a tiny bit of effort, you could find Virginia Sweetspire. Known to bloom in late spring to early summer. ... (Clethra alnifolia) and Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica). While it thrives in moist soils, it will adapt to even dry conditions if given plenty of water during its first year while becoming established. This Sweetspire won't require a lot of time from you to achieve its naturally beautiful appearance, and is hardy enough to thrive regardless of minor inconveniences. Prefers moist, humus-rich soils, but tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Divisions of suckers can be done most easily in fall. Mass plantings can be used as a high ground cover or shrub bank. Promoting environmentally sound gardening practices for over 35 years! In the urban landscape, this mid-sized shrub grows 3 to 5 feet tall and has a spreading growth habit. Invasive: Ailanthus altissima, Tree of Heaven ***. The dark-leafed 'Crimson King' variety is said by some to be among the least invasive, but even it still shows up in some invasive plant lists. Henry's Garnet Sweetspire Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet' Sku #4650. Features fragrant, tiny white flowers borne in cylindrical racemes (3-4" long) which cover the shrub with bloom in late spring to early summer. Found growing in wet woodlands and along stream banks. View the herbarium specimen image from the University of Florida Herbarium Digital Imaging Projects. Virginia sweetspire Sweetspire is a southeastern native that grows in moist, wet areas, as well as upland sites. Great for woodland areas because bees and butterflies like the blooms The shoots went everywhere and I was constantly having to dig them out. It is extremely invasive and is surrounding and choking out my other plants. Plants spread readily by suckering, especially in moist sites. The straight species has 2-inch maroon flowers with a fruity fragrance combining hints of pineapple, strawberry, and banana. Peak color is in November. The fragrant white flowers of Virginia sweetspire attract butterflies and other pollinators and the foliage provides cover for birds and other wildlife. Taxon: Plant Range: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia Status: Listed as threatened on Jun. When planted in full sun, flowering is abundant and showy. Species Overview. Root in a mix of three parts perlite and one part peat, kept moist, but not wet. In walks around my neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia, I repeatedly see a limited palette of plants surrounding the foundations of homes and apartment buildings. Itea virginica is commonly found in swamps, stream banks, wet hammocks, and floodplain forests throughout Florida (Wunderlin, 2003). Cuttings can be taken from May to September. In Kentucky, 4 inch long spikes of white flowers are produced in spring. Native to the woodlands of eastern North America, it is a good choice for woodland borders. While the straight species can reach 10 feet in height, shorter cultivars (‘Henry’s Garnet’ and ‘Little Henry’) are available for smaller garden beds. Zones 5 to 9. 02.07.2014 - Itea virginica in full bloom growing at base of pond cypress in Adams Mill Pond. Deutzia gracilis and Potentilla fruticosa are small rounded shrubs that bloom, respectively, in spring and summer. Invasive: Phyllostachys aurea, Golden Bamboo, Fishpole Bamboo, Walking Stick Bamboo NoVA Native Alternatives: Juniperus virginiana, Eastern Redcedar Invasive: Humulus lupulus `Aureus’ , Golden Hops Vine NoVA Native Alternatives: See alternatives listed above for Akebia. Its masses of tiny white blooms are much beloved by butterflies, and … Green leaves turn red in the fall and often persist into early winter. Size: 3 to 6 feet tall and wide. Be sure to keep cutting back to prevent seed production! Virginia spiraea Spiraea virginiana. Native Alternatives: Burning bush can dominate the understory of woodlands. Virginia Sweetspire is a native deciduous to a semi-evergreen shrub that is found in the southeast USA on streambanks and wet pine barrens. A native alternative with multi-season interest is Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire). Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire) is a native shrub for many in zones 5-9 which will adapt to just about any soil (even though its preference is for moist, well drained soil). Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Virginia willow blooms in the spring. This airy, multi-stemmed shrub has inconspicuous yellow-green flowers in May and June that develop into unique, eye-catching raspberry-colored fruits. • Invasive Exotic‐a plant that is non‐native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose ... Virginia Sweetspire. The arching branches feature plenty of small white flowers that produce a fragrant addition to your yard. Sweetspire transplants easily from containers. Alternatives include; Red or Black Chokeberry, Fothergilla, Virginia Sweetspire . Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Viburnum nudum (possum-haw), the showiest of the native viburnums, is an excellent substitute. A native plant with similar bamboo-like foliage and red fruit is Euonymus americanus ([American] strawberry-bush). The most commonly available are: If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988. Now considered among the most troublesome invasives in Arlington and Alexandria because of their spread to natural areas through seed dispersal by birds, they can be replaced in home landscapes by native Calycanthus floridus (sweet-shrub). These yummy, richly red leaves are the autumnal reward of growing Virginia Sweetspire. The 5-lobed capsules burst open in late summer to reveal seeds with orange-red coverings, leading to its common name ‘hearts-a-bustin.’. Plants spread readily by suckering, especially in moist sites. Just enter your email address below and click "sign me up" to get notified of new updates to our site via email. Itea virginica is commonly found in swamps, stream banks, wet hammocks, and floodplain forests throughout Florida (Wunderlin, 2003).Virginia willow blooms in the spring. Invasive Species – Harmful to the Environment . Webmaster: Elena Rodriguez. ‘Henry’s Garnet’ Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) showing fall color. This compact Sweetspire starts out the summer with a beautiful display of fragrant white flowers that blanket the shrub. While not especially noteworthy during the spring and summer, Euonymus alatus (burning bush) is often chosen as a landscape specimen for its fiery fall color. There are several named cultivars of Virginia sweetspire, which were selected for improved fall color, form, and size. American Beautyberry. Nandina domestica 'Firepower' y, 'Firepower' nandina (non-fruiting) Nandina domestica 'Gulfstream' y, 'Gulfstream' nandina (non-invasive) Nandina domestica 'Harbour Dwarf' y, 'Harbour Dwarf' nandina (non-invasive) Ruellia simplex. 2005. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. The shrub has a rounded habit and produces cylindrical drooping flowers (racemes) from late spring to mid-summer. And can travel 6-8 ' to send out new shoots and plants to put in garden! Open nature and wildlife support offered by native alternatives Virginia sweetspire ( Itea virginica 'Henry Garnet! Plants provides a source of information for the distribution of plants within the state and taxonomic.... Combining hints of pineapple, strawberry, and colored leaves will remain temperatures. No small list to consider when looking for shrubs at the garden yew, burning bush, bush honeysuckle and! Alternatives for these popular alien shrubs a slight fragrance, attract hummingbirds, and. 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