Sweetspire

Itea virginica (Iteaceae) is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub native to the southeastern United States from New Jersey to Florida and west to Missouri, Louisiana, and east Texas. It grows 3 to 5 feet tall (potentially 10 feet at maturity), forming an erect habit with arching branches and a stoloniferous root system that produces colonies over time. In summer, fragrant white flowers appear in cylindrical drooping racemes (6 to 15 cm long) at branch ends. Fall color ranges through crimson, orange, purple, red, and yellow.

Virginia sweetspire is most floriferous and colorful in partial shade to full sun, though it tolerates deep shade. It prefers moist, fertile, acidic soils but handles both wet and dry conditions. Two widely grown cultivars are 'Henry's Garnet' (4 to 6 feet, with outstanding purplish-red fall color) and 'Little Henry' (2 to 4 feet, compact). The species blooms on previous season's wood, so pruning should follow flowering. No significant pest or disease problems are documented. Hardy in Zones 5a to 8b.