Virginia Sweetspire

Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica

Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)

(sometimes listed in Iteaceae Family - Sweetspire Family)

▲ mature, flowering plant

▲ flowers

▲ ▼ red fall foliage color

Location on campus: in garden area east of Karls Hall; in planting bed west of Physical Plant

Itea virginica: Virginia Sweetspire

leaves deciduous or semi-evergreen, alternate, simple, lanceolate with tiny serrations on margin; 1.5-4" long and 1/2 as wide; leaves dark green, glabrous above, lighter below; bright red fall color that persists well
stems thin, green to reddish purple, glabrous; pith white, chambered
flowers small and white in terminal racemes in mid to late spring
grows 3-5' high and 10' or more in diameter; produces stem sprouts from base to increase lateral spread
prefers full sun to shade, moist, fertile soils; can tolerate wet soil to dry soils
medium to fast growth rate