With its fragrant spring flowers and blazing fall foliage that often persists well into winter, Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) makes a fine addition to almost any garden. This native deciduous shrub is as versatile as it is attractive, easily fitting into many landscape niches: Its gracefully arching stems fill the space beneath taller shrubs or small trees. It’s at home in either sun or shade, so it is an excellent choice for a transition between woodland and sunny gardens. It’s fine with wet soil conditions, so it’s a natural for rain gardens or alongside a pond, and it is great on a moist slope for controlling erosion because it spreads via suckers,
This undemanding shrub requires little in the way of care. It has few problems and needs minimal pruning other than removing suckers if you want to limit its spread. In addition, it attracts many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and provides seeds and a nesting habitat for birds.
Virginia Sweetspire Overview
Where to Plant Virginia Sweetspire
Virginia sweetspire is native to the mid-Atlantic and southeastern U.S., where it grows wild along stream banks and in wet woodlands. It grows best in moist-to-wet soil rich in organic matter, although it tolerates average soil, and once established, it tolerates drought. While it blooms best and usually develops the strongest autumn color in sunny spots, it can grow in the shade.
A mass planting of this shrub can be spectacular and is usually preferable to single plants. It spreads by suckers to create dense colonies, which can be used as a barrier. It is also useful on banks to control erosion. Suckers are easy to remove where they are not wanted.
How and When to Plant Virginia Sweetspire
A container-grown Virginia sweetspire can be planted almost any time, but spring or fall are best. Fall is also the best time to divide suckers to expand a planting.
To plant Virginia sweetspire, select a site that can be kept moist while the shrub becomes established. Allow 4 to 6 feet of space between plants. Dig a hole twice as wide and about the same depth as the shrub’s root ball. Set the root ball in the hole so that it is at the same depth as it was growing in the container. Backfill the hole around the root ball with the soil removed when you dug the hole and water thoroughly. Cover the area with about 3 inches of organic mulch to help maintain even soil moisture.
Virginia Sweetspire Care Tips
Virginia sweetspire is an extraordinarily low-maintenance and easy-to-grow shrub. It’s also adaptable to a wide range of conditions. If you grow it where it can spread or where its spread is limited by a barrier such as a driveway or sidewalk, you can usually let it have its own way to fill in the space allotted. If you need to limit its spread, remove unwanted suckers as they appear.
Light
Virginia sweetspire grows best in full sun (6 hours or more of direct sun), where it produces maximum flowers and vivid fall foliage color. It also grows in partial or full shade, but the shrub may be less dense with reduced flowering, and the fall color will be less spectacular.
Soil and Water
The ideal soil for Virginia sweetspire is somewhat moist but well-drained and high in organic matter. However, it adapts to most soil conditions as long as it is kept moist through its first growing season; it will tolerate short periods of drought once established. This shrub can grow in soils that are occasionally wet, such as a rain garden or the bank of a pond. A good rule of thumb is to provide an inch of water per week. A 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch will help maintain even soil moisture.
Temperature and Humidity
In the colder parts of its range, winter temperatures may cause some branches to suffer dieback. Damaged stems can be removed in the spring. The shrub is semi-evergreen and will maintain its leaves until the temperature drops to 20°F or lower. In warmer regions, the shrub prefers temperatures between 40° and 95°F. It handles high heat well as long as it receives plenty of water. Some shade and mulching are beneficial to prevent the soil from drying out. Virginia sweetspire prefers a moist, humid environment, although it tolerates drought after it is established.
Fertilizer
A single application of a balanced slow-release fertilizer each spring is sufficient for Virginia sweetspire. Follow the directions on the label for the correct amount. Spread the fertilizer on the soil at the dripline of the shrub and not immediately adjacent to the trunk.
Pruning
The natural arching habit of the branches is beautiful and does not require pruning unless the shrub has suffered some winter dieback. In that case, remove dead stems back to a healthy bud or stem. Pruning suckers to prevent unwanted spread should be done whenever they appear. Cut the underground portion of the sucker and remove it.
Potting and Repotting
You can grow this shrub in a container with good drainage for one season, after which you should plant it in the landscape. Use a high-quality potting mix and keep the Virginia sweetspire well watered. Rooted cuttings or suckers can grow in a container until they develop robust root systems (usually within one season). No repotting is necessary.
Pests and Problems
Virginia sweetspire has few pests, although flea beetles may occasionally visit a plant. If they are numerous, spray them with neem oil. Leaf spots caused by a fungus are sometimes observed but rarely require treatment.
How to Propagate Virginia Sweetspire
The easiest way to start new plants of Virginia sweetspire is to remove rooted suckers in the fall and plant them in an area that can be kept constantly moist until a robust root system is established. These will be ready to plant in the landscape the following spring.
Stem cuttings can also be taken from May to September and grown in good-quality potting soil, where they will root in about four weeks, even without rooting hormone. Keep cuttings evenly moist and grow them in a sheltered location for several months before planting them in the landscape.
Types of Virginia Sweetspire
'Henry's Garnet'
Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet' prefers a medium to wet environment. It grows 3 to 5 feet tall and spreads from 4 to 6 feet. It bears 6-inch-long drooping white flower clusters in late spring to early summer and has brilliant red-purple fall foliage that makes it a standout in the landscape. Zones 5-9
'Merlot'
A compact cultivar that grows 3 to 4 feet tall, Itea virginica 'Merlot' is covered in panicles of fragrant white flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators in summer. The deep wine-red fall foliage often persists well into winter. Zones 5-9
'Sprich'
Itea virginica 'Sprich', also known as Little Henry, is a dwarf variety of Virginia sweetspire that grows only 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Like the larger cultivars, it is covered in racemes of tiny white fragrant flowers in summer, and its fall foliage color ranges from bright orange to red. Zones 5-9
'Scentlandia'
Itea virginica 'Scentlandia' has the most fragrant white flowers of the Virginia sweetspire shrubs. It is also more cold-tolerant, so it often excels in Zone 5. It is another compact variety that grows to 3 feet tall and wide and has fall foliage in shades of red and orange. Zones 5-9
'Sarah's Eve'
Itea virginica 'Sarah's Eve' has white flower petals held on pink pedicels (flower stems), so the fragrant flowers appear soft pink. Its dark green leaves are often blushed with purple and turn shades of purple, orange, and gold in the fall. 'Sarah's Eve' grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-9
Virginia Sweetspire Companion Plants
Plants that thrive in moist shade combine well with Virginia sweetspire.
Foamflower (Tiarella spp.) is a popular shade garden plant and woodland native. It blooms in spring and early summer with blossoms in shades of pink and white that last up to six weeks. After the flowering season ends, its dark green foliage forms an attractive backdrop for other flowering plants.
Black Chokeberry
DEAN SCHOEPPNER
Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) can withstand wet conditions and grow in rain gardens and along stream beds. Their spring blooms are white with pink stamens, and their green foliage turns to a brilliant red-to-burgundy fall color presentation.
Coral Bells
Low-maintenance coral bells (Heuchera spp.) come in a rainbow of colors. These perennials thrive in woodland locations as long as they have well-draining—not soggy—soil. They attract birds and pollinators, and the blooms are lovely in cut-flower arrangements.
Wild Ginger
Low-growing wild ginger (Asarum spp.) thrives in moist, shady places. This lush groundcover spreads by rhizomes. Wild ginger isn’t related to culinary ginger. It is grown primarily for its foliage, although it has small flowers in several colors, including brown, purple, yellow, and white, that attract pollinators.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Virginia sweetspire evergreen?In the southern parts of its range, this shrub often retains its leaves well into winter and is considered a semi-evergreen. In most areas where it grows, it is deciduous.
In the southern parts of its range, this shrub often retains its leaves well into winter and is considered a semi-evergreen. In most areas where it grows, it is deciduous.
- Do deer eat Virginia sweetspire?Deer rarely browse on Virginia sweetspire—it is considered moderately deer resistant—although if deer are hungry enough, they’ll eat almost any plant.
Deer rarely browse on Virginia sweetspire—it is considered moderately deer resistant—although if deer are hungry enough, they’ll eat almost any plant.