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Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica

Other common name(s):

Tassel-white, Virginia Willow

Family:

Iteaceae (Sweetspire Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
8
ft.

Spread

3
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Acid, Poor Drainage

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

High

Native Habitat

Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Blooms best if grown in full sun for at least part of the day. Can grow in swamps and other areas of poor drainage. Needs extra water during droughts. Propagation: Seed , Semi-hardwood cuttings.

Comments

Blooms March-June. Flowers form 4″ drooping white spires in spring, nice contrast to dark bark. Leaves keep turning color: yellow, red, maroon, purple through out the fall. Spreading roots stabilize soil. Makes and attractive ornamental plant when planted in mass. Single plants tend to be scraggly. Provides cover for wildlife, attracts birds. Pollination: Nectar insects.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 247. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ITVI. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Itea+virginica&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=13071&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=24202#null

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Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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