'Henry's Garnet' Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet') eye-TAY-ah ver-JIN-ih-kah Genus:  Itea

'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. Virginia sweetspire also produces an early-summer show, featuring slender, drooping racemes of white flowers that attract all sorts of pollinating insects. Its suckering, slowly spreading, 6-foot-wide habit makes it a good choice for slopes and mass plantings.

Noteworthy Characteristics: 

Beautiful fall color and nice early-summer flowers.

Care: 

Provide full sun to light shade and wet to moderately dry soil. It is adaptable to clay soil.

Problems: 

Nothing serious.

Overview

Height 3 ft. to 6 ft. Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft. Growth Habit Spreads Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Medium to Wet Maintenance Low Characteristics Attracts Butterflies, Native, Showy Fall Foliage, Showy Flowers Bloom Time Early Summer Flower Color White Uses Beds and Borders, Waterside Style Woodland Garden Seasonal Interest Summer Interest Tolerance Drought Tolerant Type Shrubs