Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ (Virginia Sweetspire)

Award-winning Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ (Virginia Sweetspire) is a compact, 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 cover the shrub. They open from the bottom up for a long-lasting display. The blossoms attract butterflies and other pollinators. The foliage of oval, lustrous, rich to dark green leaves, up to 4 in. long (10 cm), turns brilliant shades of rich red and purple 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, and perennial and shrub borders. Semi-evergreen in mild winter areas.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm). Strongly suckering, it will spread to form dense colonies.
• A full sun, part shade, or full shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, medium to wet, slightly acidic, 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.
• Itea virginica is native to the eastern United States.