In the wild, Virginia sweetspire can be found growing in wetlands, along stream beds and along the margins of lakes and ponds. In the urban landscape, this versatile shrub provides multiple seasons of interest, making it a particularly valuable addition to the ornamental garden.
Is Virginia sweetspire invasive?
The native Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) is often suggested as an alternative to burning bush (Euonymus alata), even though sweetspire can be invasive in the South. But your garden is near this plant’s northern limit, so it is unlikely to get away. … One warning: sweetspire is aggressive.
What does a Virginia sweetspire look like?
Virginia sweetspire is a deciduous shrub with arching stems and alternate simple leaves that are oval in shape and dark green in color. … It has a long period of good autumn color with leaves that turn shades of red, orange, and gold.
Is Virginia sweetspire poisonous?
Two safe bets are Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire) and Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea). Both of these blooming shrubs are hardy varieties that are not poisonous to dogs and can survive in many environments.
Is Virginia sweetspire fast growing?
Growth Rate Sweetspire transplants easily from containers. Growth rate is medium to fast especially in moist soil.
Are Chokeberries red?
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N) Red chokeberry is a multi-stemmed shrub, 6-12 ft. tall, with four-season interest. In spring, flat-topped clusters of white, five-petaled flowers with red anthers are borne in profusion. They give way to dark green, glossy leaves that consistently turn a rich, orange-red in fall.
Is Sweetspire native to PA?
Sweetspire | Direct Native Plants – MD, DE, PA, VA.
Do hummingbirds like Sweetspire?
With its white blossoms, Virginia Sweetspire might not look like a hummingbird magnet, but you can bet it is! Hummers love this bird-friendly native plant, making it the perfect addition to your Bird-Friendly Native Plants of the Year collection. … Some are white like Sweetspire; some are purple or blue like Phlox.
Is Virginia sweetspire fragrant?
This compact Sweetspire starts out the summer with a beautiful display of fragrant white flowers that blanket the shrub. As summer progresses shiny, disease-free foliage appears until fall when the foliage turns a stunning garnet-red. Full sun exposure will produce more vibrant fall color.
Does Little Henry Sweetspire spread?
Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire is a dense spreading deciduous shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
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What is Henry's Garnet?
Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ ‘Henry’s Garnet’ Virginia sweetspire is a very dependable, showy plant. It is an arching, 3- to 5-foot-tall shrub that holds its leaves well into fall, allowing the maroon, yellow, and orange tones to develop and reveal themselves over time.
How big does Virginia sweetspire get?
Virginia sweetspire is a mound-shaped, slender-branched, deciduous shrub to 8 ft. Small, white flowers bloom in 4 in. spires that droop with the arching branches.
Does Virginia sweetspire attract bees?
Virginia sweetspire Itea virginica L. Bees love them! … The fragrant white flowers of Virginia sweetspire attract butterflies and other pollinators and the foliage provides cover for birds and other wildlife.
What can I plant with Sweetspire?
A feeding at winter’s end with a balanced, granular organic fertilizer such as Plant-tone is optional. * Great partner: Try ringing three or four Little Henries around a dark-leafed ‘Diabolo’ ninebark for a great shrub combo. In shadier spots, surround Little Henry with pink impatiens.
How do you care for Little Henry sweetspire?
Little Henry Sweetspire Care You can plant the Little Henry Sweetspire in full sun to full shade and it will thrive. However flowering is best with some sun. It is preferable to moist soil that is drained well. It has average water needs.
How fast does Summersweet grow?
Botanical NameClethra alnifoliaMature Size3-8 ft. tall, 4-6 ft. wideSun ExposureFull sun, part shadeSoil TypeLoam, clay, sand
Is Virginia sweetspire native to Virginia?
Virginia Sweetspire is a native deciduous to a semi-evergreen shrub that is found in the southeast USA on streambanks and wet pine barrens. It is found in most areas of NC. It can grow up to 8 feet tall and has graceful arching branches.
Are Nandinas invasive?
Like mulberry weed, nandina has not yet been recognized on the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List, though it is a well-known invasive in other parts of the United States. Unfortunately, this poisonous, invasive shrub is frequently found in garden centers and nurseries and in home landscapes.
Is Virginia sweetspire a perennial?
Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) is one of the most attractive and versatile of our native shrubs. It is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub that is found in the southeast U.S. on streambanks and wet pine barrens, along swamp edges here in Delaware.
What is the difference between chokecherry and chokeberry?
Black chokeberry is one of the common names for Aronia Melanocarpa. The name “chokeberry” can easily be misunderstood as the word “chokecherry.” Chokecherry is the common name for a different plant, prunus virginiana. In fact, the two plants are only distantly related to the rose family of plants.
Is red chokeberry native to PA?
Red Chokeberry | Direct Native Plants – MD, DE, PA, VA.
Are Chokeberries native?
Aronia is a genus of deciduous shrubs, the chokeberries, in the family Rosaceae native to eastern North America and most commonly found in wet woods and swamps.
Is Little Henry invasive?
They take a little longer than other shrubs to fully leaf out, so don’t prune for winter damage until late April. I hate this plant as well. It is extremely invasive and is surrounding and choking out my other plants. I have removed the three that I had in my front flower bed.
What is a Bobo hydrangea?
Bobo® hydrangea is engulfed by large white flowers in summer. The flowers are held upright on strong stems, and continue to grow and lengthen as they bloom. No flopping, unlike some panicle hydrangeas! … It is compact and dwarf in habit, and the flowers cover every inch of the plant right down to the ground.
Is Little Henry sweetspire poisonous to dogs?
A: Two safe bets are Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire) and Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea). Both of these blooming shrubs are hardy varieties that are not poisonous to dogs and can survive in many environments.
Does Sweetspire grow in the wild?
In the wild, Virginia sweetspire can be found growing in wetlands, along stream beds and along the margins of lakes and ponds. In the urban landscape, this versatile shrub provides multiple seasons of interest, making it a particularly valuable addition to the ornamental garden.
Do sweet peas attract hummingbirds?
A staple of cottage gardens because of their colorful and fragrant flowers, hummingbirds are also drawn to sweet peas, especially plants with red or pink flowers.
How tall does Diablo ninebark grow?
Diablo Ninebark Landscape Uses These shrubs can reach a mature height and width of 8 to 10 feet. They are perfect for a hedge or mass planting.
Is my Sweetspire dead?
These bloom on old wood, meaning the flowers open from buds formed the fall before. … Any buds on that wood will be dead, so if your plants come out of winter with obviously dead tips that don’t leaf out, it’s OK to lightly shear off that wood for neatening purposes. If size is good, no need to prune sweetspires at all.
Do bees like Little Henry sweetspire?
Virginia sweetspire is readily available to the home gardener.
How big does Henry's Garnet get?
Botanical Pronunciationeye-TEE-uh vir-JIN-ih-kuhAverage Size at MaturityModerate growing; reaches 5 to 6 ft. tall and wide.Bloom TimeEarly Summer
