Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)

Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire) is an upright, rounded, deciduous shrub with arching branches boasting bottlebrush spikes, 4-6 in. long (10-15 cm), of lightly fragrant, creamy-white flowers in mid-spring to early summer. The flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the shrub. They open from the bottom up for a long-lasting display. The blossoms attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. The foliage of oval, lustrous rich to dark green leaves, up to 4 in. long (10 cm), turns brilliant shades of oranges and reds in the fall and persists well into the winter. Perfect for full sun or shade, Virginia Sweetspire rewards gardeners with three seasons of interest while requiring little care. Easy to grow, and rarely bothered by pests or diseases, this is a great shrub for massing on large banks, in beds, perennial, and shrub borders. Semi-evergreen in mild winter areas.

• Grows up to 3-10 ft. tall and wide (90-300 cm). Strongly suckering, it will spread to form dense colonies.
• This plant is best grown in full sun, part shade, or full shade in average, medium to wet, slightly acid, well-drained soils. Clay and wet soil tolerant. Best flower production and fall color in full sun.
• A versatile shrub for shrub borders, open woodland gardens, foundations, or hedges. Can be massed to create a pretty ground cover. Perfect for wet soils near ponds and streams, it grows in swamps and other areas of poor drainage. Good for erosion control.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
• Promptly remove root suckers unless a naturalized look is desired
• Prune immediately after flowering. Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.
• Native to the eastern United States.