Scentlandia Sweetspire

Maintenance Notes: Itea needs little maintenance. In spring, after new growth begins to emerge, you can remove any stems that aren't showing signs of life - do not prune until you see signs of new growth. Mulch is a good idea.

Is 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.

How big does sweetspire get?

Sweetspire usually grows three to five feet tall, although it may be taller and leggier in moist or shaded areas. Plants have a denser, more attractive habit when grown in sunnier sites.

What does sweetspire look like in the winter?

Fall temperatures and shortened days turn Sweetspire's dark green summer foliage into intense shades of red, purple orange and gold. Unlike many deciduous shrubs, Itea's leaves tend to remain on the reddish-brown branches well into winter.

Do you cut back sweetspire?

If needed, prune these early summer flowering shrubs soon after they have bloomed. Prune the plant to improve the shape and reduce its size but, be careful not to remove more than 30% of the top growth.

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.

How far apart do you plant sweetspire?

Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire Spacing You can plant your Sweetspire in a hedge or border, as well as in a container. They can thrive even in very wet areas, and look lovely paired with potentilla and syringa. They should be spaced 4 to 6 inches apart at planting.

Should you deadhead sweetspire?

The main maintenance is to shear plants back to about 2 feet immediately after bloom in late spring or early summer. Also snip off any dead branch tips after plants leaf out in early spring. Sever any root shoots that pop up where you don't want them to spread and plant them in a new area or give to friends.

Is sweetspire toxic to dogs?

Which flowering shrubs are good in shade and won't harm my pet? 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 lose its leaves?

Virginia Sweetspire is in the genus Itea, and is native from New Jersey to eastern Texas. This shrub provides vibrant fall color and although it is deciduous, it is one of the last shrubs to lose its leaves over the winter. Once this plant is established, it can withstand drought conditions.

Is sweetspire fragrant?

Blooms begin to appear in the early summer. The white blooms are paired with lovely green foliage. It is highly fragrant.

Does sweetspire attract butterflies?

The fragrant white flowers of Virginia sweetspire attract butterflies and other pollinators and the foliage provides cover for birds and other wildlife. Leaves on the Virginia sweetspire turn red to purple in fall and can last well into the winter on this native shrub.

Is sweetspire a shrub?

USDA Native Status: L48 (N) Virginia sweetspire is a mound-shaped, slender-branched, deciduous shrub to 8 ft. Small, white flowers bloom in 4 in.

Is sweetspire a perennial?

Hardiness	5 – 9 What's My Zone?
Plant Type	Shrubs
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest	Spring (Late) Summer (Early) Fall
Height	2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)

Is Itea the same as sweetspire?

The Itea shrub is also known as Virginia sweetspire and Virginia willow. It attracts butterflies and its berries provide food for passing birds.

What is a hummingbird's favorite flower?

Brightly-colored flowers that are tubular tend to produce the most nectar, and are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. These include perennials such as bee balms, columbines, daylilies, and lupines; biennials such as foxgloves and hollyhocks; and many annuals, including cleomes, impatiens, and petunias.

What plants deter hummingbirds?

Popular Flowers Hummingbirds Don't Like

• Crocuses.
• Daffodils.
• Dianthus.
• Forget-me-nots.
• Gardenias.
• Irises.
• Lilacs.
• Lily of the valley.

What should you not feed a hummingbird?

Never use honey, corn syrup or raw, unprocessed sugars. Powdered sugar (also called confectioners' sugar) often contains additional ingredients, such as cornstarch. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in creating hummingbird food.

Is sweetspire the same as Summersweet?

Virginia Sweetspire (Itea) Also named for sweetly fragrant flowers (though milder than Sumersweet), this shrub blooms in late spring with drooping white spires that draw a lot of pollinators.

Can Itea take full sun?

It prefers moist soils and will tolerate wet conditions. It will grow in full sun to full shade, and requires little pruning or other maintenance.