Itea virginica ~ Sweetspire

Itea virginica ~ SweetspireSweetspire is a broad rounded deciduous shrub with a spreading habit that has long lasting fall color. The dark green oval leaves turn various shades of red, orange, and gold. Small fragrant white flowers bloom on drooping cylindrical racemes in summer and are followed by berries. Prefers rich, moist to wet well drained soils. Can form dense colonies if suckers are left unchecked. Itea virginica is a host plant for the American Holly Azure butterfly

Sweetspire is a broad rounded deciduous shrub with a spreading habit that has long-lasting fall color.  The dark green oval leaves turn various shades of red, orange, and gold.  Small fragrant white flowers bloom on drooping cylindrical racemes in summer and are followed by berries.  Prefers rich, moist to wet well-drained soils.  Can form dense colonies if suckers are left unchecked.

Itea virginica is a host plant for the American Holly Azure butterfly if in the coastal plains, otherwise it acts as a food source for various bees and butterflies.  Birds may eat the seeds.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  Low Maintenance.  Water regularly, then occasionally once established.  No serious disease or pest issues.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Naturalized Areas,  Ponds and Streams, Foundational Plantings, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS:  Lilac, Spirea, Periwinkle 

Image: I, SB Johnny, Itea virginica flowers 001, CC BY-SA 3.0