• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Summer Blooming Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) for Sun or Shade

Bring in the butterflies, hummingbirds and bees with the lightly fragrant flowers of Virginia Sweetspire.

Also known by its botanical name, Itea, this shrub grows 3 to 5 or 6 feet tall. Drooping 4-inch tassels of white flowers appear in late May through June. The long-lasting flowers and outstanding red, orange or gold fall color make it a great addition to the landscape.  It will form suckering colonies excellent for erosion control and natural plantings.

The native Itea is hardy in zones 5 to 9 and grows well in full sun to shade and moist acidic soils.  It can be chlorotic and less vigorous when grown in alkaline soil. Scarlet Beauty is more tolerant of high pH soils and hardy to zone 4. Henry’s Garnet has outstanding reddish-purple fall color and reddish-purple stems that add color to the winter landscape. 

A bit more information:  Little Henry grows 3 to 4 feet and is more compact while the cultivar Scentlandia® only grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and has very fragrant flowers. Wait until after the Itea is finished flowering to do any needed pruning.

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants

Register here

Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden

Register here

Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants

Register here

March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs

Register here

March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here


March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI

March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation

Register here

March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A

Register here

April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here


April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here


May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here


May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

Register here

June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds

Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win 3 Collections of Longfield Gardens
Dahlia Bulbs

ENTER NOW