November Shrub of the Month-Virginia Sweetspire
What if you could find a shrub with fragrant spring flowers that attract pollinators, was also super low maintenance, didn’t get over five feet tall or wide, takes sun or part shade, had great fall color, was drought-resistant AND wet area-resistant…one that deer leave alone, AND it’s native? It would be the perfect shrub, right? Then why aren’t I in love with Itea, commonly known as Virginia sweetspire?
Virginia sweetspire’s fall color can range anywhere from yellow to brilliant red and orange. This low-maintenance shrub is commonly used in rain gardens since it tolerates moist conditions. However, I often see specimens that look weak and spindly. Perhaps their owners overlook them in the garden as I overlook them in a nursery.
If you are searching for true native Itea, always check the botanical names. Native Virginia sweetspire is Itea virginica. Other Iteas like Itea japonica are also common in the trade, but they are native to Asia.
I’ve seen some nice plantings, don’t get me wrong, especially in a mass planting. But despite all the wonderful traits, the shrub seems a bit “meh” to me. This sounds like one of my “anti” plant rants, but I’m being honest based on my own experiences. I have never included it in any designs or my own garden, despite its fully ticked checklist of desirable traits. So why am I including it here as a “Plant of the Month?” Because I WANT to like it, and I want you to like it too. I want it to be used more in plantings, both native and ornamental. I’m trying to talk myself into using it more next season, if only for a background plant. I mean, with a resume like that, it seems like every head-hunter, or in this case, plant-hunter, would be thrilled to have it do its job in a rain garden, or natural planting. So, if you feel the same way about itea and have passed it by at the nursery on your way to the boxwoods or weigela, give it a try next season and let me know how you feel about it this time next year!
What I love about this plant;
-It’s native!
-Great fall color
-Low maintenance
-Versatile, taking sun, shade, dry or wet conditions.
-Deer resistant
What’s not so great;
–Can sucker and form colonies if not kept in check.
-For me, a bit on the “meh” side despite all the positive traits. Seems to look best in a grouping or mass planting instead of a single specimen.
-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2025, All rights reserved.
