Landscape Spotlight: Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica)

 

This month is bloom time for Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), a deciduous native shrub that naturally grows in moist areas. I always enjoy finding it in a natural areas and along streambanks where its modest green foliage allows it to hide in plain sight. It is native throughout Georgia and Florida (Hmm, I should get some for my daughter’s yard in the Florida panhandle).

Itea virginica

What has surprised me recently is the explosion of usage in designed landscapes near where I live in metro Atlanta. Driving around this past week – while it was blooming – made me realize how it can be and is being used in landscaping.

Virginia sweetspire can be a suckering shrub, a trait which is very beneficial in its natural habitat along streambanks. I am used to seeing it in stream restoration projects such as the one I profiled last week. It doesn’t always sucker – perhaps it is a response to damage or browsing – in fact, a group of 3 at the front of a neighborhood planted at least 5 years ago is still just that group of three.

It is usually described as a part-sun plant but I am seeing it used in full sun, even afternoon sun. These plants may have help in dealing with the extra sun by artificial irrigation (something to consider if you’re planning to use it in those conditions). It can have really nice fall color in addition to these spring blooms. Deer do browse on it some, so get some deer spray if that's an issue for you.

Here are some examples of landscape usage that I've seen over the years (and I've seen more but I just haven't photographed them). In the summer, the foliage is not particularly remarkable but it is handsome and can be dense enough for nesting birds. Fall color can be really nice on Virginia sweetspire and some cultivar names like 'Merlot' and 'Henry's Garnet' are indicators of that.

Consider this shrub for one of your landscape projects. It is usually available at larger nurseries and dwarf forms and reliable fall color cultivars are available. The cultivars have not impacted the pollinator benefits of the plant.