Itea virginica

Virginia Sweetspire, Virginia-willow
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size of 3-5' tall. Medium growth rate, fast with adequate nutrition and moisture.

Native Range

U.S. Native — Consistently found in swamps, wet woodlands and along wooded streams. Pine barrens of new jersey to Florida, west to Missouri, Louisana, and east Texas.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are perfect, white, lightly fragrant, 0.33-0.5" diameter, borne in upright, dense, pubescent racemes 2-6" long and 0.625" wide. Flowers on previous season's wood. Fruits are 5-valved capsules, 0.25-0.33" long, narrow, pubescent, persisting into the following year, with extremely small seeds.

Leaf and Bark Features

Flourescent red fall color. Bark is green to reddish purple, glabrous. Stems have a white, irregularly chambered pith.

Culture and Care

Prefers fertile soils in moist or wet areas. Best flowers when in full sun. Pruning should be done after flowering. No serious disease or insect problems, but leaf spot may occur.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

An interesting native shrub valued for fragrant flowers at a time when few plants are in flower.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA

The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.

  • Itea virginica // Virginia Sweetspire, Virginia-willow ("straight species")
    Shrub.
    Bed 184

  • Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet' // Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire
    Shrub.
    Bed 91

  • Itea virginica 'Little Henry' // Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire
    Shrub.
    Bed 93

  • Itea virginica 'Merlot' // Merlot Virginia Sweetspire
    Shrub. Compact growth habit, to only 3-3.5' tall.
    Bed 90

  • Itea virginica 'Sarah's Eve' // Sarah's Eve Virginia Sweetspire
    Shrub. Flowers have pink sepals and pedicels, with white petals.
    Bed 91