Common Name: Henry’s Garnet Virginia Sweetspire
Botanical Name: Itea virginiana ‘Henry’s Garnet’
Plant family: Iteaceae
Location: Art Trail, East Terrace Switchback, North Lawn Trail
Growing zone: 5-9
Height: 3-6 ft.
Spread: 3-6 ft.
Bloom time: March, April
Bloom description: White flowers bloom from the base up along the 5-6 in. panicles. The star-shaped flowers are slightly fragrant and very popular with many species of butterflies. The panicles grow out from arching stems that give this shrub a graceful appearance in the garden.
Leaf type: Dark-green, glossy leaves turn a deep burgundy color in the fall. It is quite slow to drop all of its leaves, so it offers extended color into early winter in the South.
Garden uses: This native shrub is mostly seen growing in swampy areas, so it is an obvious choice for those difficult areas in a garden that tend to hold water. That being said, we have it growing in moist soil as well as in dry soil. Its arching stems and white flowers, paired with the deep burgundy fall color make this shrub an easy choice for a foundation planting or specimen planting. It prefers moist soil in full sun.
Wildlife benefits: The fragrant flowers are a hotspot for pollinator activity!