Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) is native shrub from eastern Texas up to New Jersey and thrives throughout South Carolina.
Although it thrives in moist soils, sweetspire will adapt to dry conditions if given plenty of water during the first year while it is becoming established. Virginia sweetspire grows well in either shade or sun, but it is most attractive where it receives at least 6 hours of sun each day.
Virginia sweetspire is typically 3 to 5 feet tall, but can be taller and leggier on moist or shaded areas. Plants will be denser and more attractive when grown in sunnier areas. Sweetspire arches and spreads readily by suckering, especially in moist sites. Mass plantings are more attractive than individual plants.
Sweetspire transplants easily from containers and will grow medium to fast especially in moist soil.
Sweetspire is a versatile plant in the landscape. Mass plantings can be used as shrub bank, high ground cover, or for erosion control. Once established this is a very drought tolerant plant. Virginia sweetspire is considered deer resistant and has no significant pests or diseases.
Sweetspire have small, white, sweetly scents flowers that appear on four to six inch long bottle-brush like flower cluster in May to June. Flowers may be erect or drape over the foliage depending on the cultivar. Flowering is showy and abundant when planted in full sun. Flowers will last for several weeks and are followed by a light tan seed head that persist into fall that provides contrast to the fall foliage. Plants flower on old wood so prune soon after flowering, only if needed.
Virginia sweetspire has beautiful fall color. The green summer leaves change to a mixture of red, orange, and yellow. Some cultivars have been selected for a deep wine red or a reddish-purple fall color. Fall color changes from October to December, with November being the peak of fall color. The color is the most intense in the sun, but bright shades can be seen in the shade. Sweetspire is a semi-evergreen shrub and their leaves will remain on the shrub until temperatures fall below 15 to 20F.
Sweetspire can be propagated by home gardeners by cuttings or divisions. Cuttings need about four weeds to root and can be done with or without rooting hormone treatment. Root in a mix of three parts perlite and one part peat Keep the cuttings moist, but not wet. Cutting can be taken from May to September. Divisions of suckers can be done in the fall.
There are several cultivars of Virginia sweetspire, which have been selected for improved fall color, form and size. The most commonly available are: ‘Sara Eve’, ‘Henry’s Garnet’, ‘Merlot’, Scarlet BeautyTM (‘Morton’), ‘Little HenryTM’ (‘Sprich’, PP#10,988), ‘Beppu’, Scentlandia® (‘SMNIVDFC’, PP#30,233), and ‘Shirley’s Compact’.
Clemson Extension will be having their annual fruit tree fundraiser. If you are interested in an order form please call the Extension office at 843-774-8218 extension 0.
For more information on Virginia sweetspire, please visit the Home and Garden Information Center website at hgic.clemson.edu. Tune in on Tuesday nights to watch “Making it Grow” at 7 p.m. on SCETV or mig.org. Email Outen at callenb@clemson.edu.
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