Summersweet plants usually grow 4-9ft (1.2-2.7m) tall and about 6ft (1.8m) wide, although they may spread into a mounded clump if allowed to sucker. Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant. They can be planted immediately, or the following spring. Thanks. The Best Deer Resistant Plants for Your Garden Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Its bottlebrush flowers attract bees and butterflies, while its stunning orange and scarlet foliage draws all who pass by, Personnaliser mon exprience l'aide de cookies, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, Tempe Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Redondo Beach Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Saint Louis Park Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Adrian Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures, Bonney Lake Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures, Wildomar Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures, Great Design Plant: Wildlife-Loving Dwarf Fothergilla Blazes in Fall. Native from southern New Jersey down to Florida, it is winter hardy to Zone 5 . The foliage is a nice bright green in summer. Little Henry is a useful native plant with lots of potential for the home landscape. It enjoys, Promptly remove root suckers unless a naturalized look is desired. Let us know what you decide. Merlot Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica 'Merlot'): Merlot sweetspire is a cultivar (cultivated variety) of Virginia sweetspire which is native to the moist partly-shaded areas of the south-eastern United States. The showy bottlebrush-like flower clusters, some nearly a foot long, continue for weeks on end, attracting a steady parade of butterflies and bees with their seductive fragrance. USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. I am a huge fan of Proven Winners and own a lot of their shrubs, perennials, and annuals, and they usually do not disappoint. This summersweet is a sport of C. alnifolia Pink Spires. This plant is best grown in full sun, part shade or full shade in average, medium to wet, slightly acid, well-drained soils. For one thing, they're survivors that'll often keep coming back year after year even though they're suffering disease or bug issues. Sugartina 'Crystalina' summersweet(Clethra alnifolia)Photo by: Proven Winners. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. All Rights Reserved. The scent and flowers are perfect in the garden and the winter interest color is gorgeous. And I'd also get rid of the surrounding mulch and bring in fresh mulch in case any scale eggs are lurking in last year's mulch. Here's what a colony of Virginia sweetspires should look like when not attacked by fungus or bugs. We'll see if they make it. May be pruned after blooming if required. The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours). I'd improve the soil in the new location with an inch or two of compost worked into the loosened top 10 or 12 inches of existing soil. This shrub usually grows to 3 to 6 feet in height, but can be up to 8-feet tall. Note this is the default cart. Remove lower leaves on the cuttings, dip the ends in rooting hormone, and tuck into a mixture of half perlite and half potting soil. Spread 2-3 Feet Wide. Grows well in wet areas. For a much larger shrub, go with Hollyleaf Sweetspire which can grow up to 12 feet high. PropagationSow seed at 43 to 54F in spring or autumn. Spider mites may be a concern in dry conditions. Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. I can grab any that pop up a foot or so away and pull them up back toward the base and clip off. Softwood stem cuttings, taken in early summer, are the best way to propagate summersweet. Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant. Was delivered healthy and packaged very well. Height 2.5-3 Feet Tall. This may sound drastic, but what I'd probably do in your case is whack back all growth to the ground and burn or get rid of the wood. Soil: moist to wet soil; pH 4.5-6.5. Sweetspire's dagger-like leaves will change from green to red and orange as they turn. A broad, upright habit makes it well-suited for use as a fragrant hedge or privacy screen. 3 5 comments Best Add a Comment halfbajan 2 yr. ago Hi there! Root suckering will be most prevalent with shrubs planted in wet ground. They will also do well in full sun as long as you keep the soil moist. As noted by others it depends on your preferred features. Growing Zones: 3-8 . If so, and the site is suitable, maybe do a mixed planting. Although these bushes are considered plants tolerant of wet groundand clay soils, they will nonetheless perform best in well-drained soils. Itea virginica, commonly called Virginia sweetspire, is an erect, rounded, broad-spreading, deciduous shrub with arching branches. Noteworthy Characteristics. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest Also only grows to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, so it can be placed in almost any corner of the landscape without overcrowding other plants! If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. NC State Extension Service Plant Finder. Native to the woodlands of eastern North America, it is a good choice for woodland borders. They also suggested as an option pulling the plants and starting over again. Thanks. All Rights Reserved. Its branches are dense, making it suitable for hedges or privacy screens (best in summer, of course). Cover with a thin layer of sand, then keep them in low light under plastic. Plant dwarf summersweet cultivars in smaller garden beds to add structural interest and late-summer blooms. Summersweet is a versatile shrub that thrives in most climates and is suitable as a specimen plant or a hedge. They will thrive in coastal areas as well because of their resistance to salt spray and brackish water. Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica; Zones 5-9) enjoys the same cultural requirements as summersweet and it will do fine in a regular garden setting as long as the soil is relatively moist. A sharp spade can be used to cut away a section of the root ball around the edge, which can be replanted wherever you want it. The flowers aren't just longer, larger, and more fragrant than other varieties - they're also more cold tolerant, assuring a good display even in USDA zone 5 where flower buds are frequently damaged. Elsewhere, summersweet looks nice when grouped in planting beds or lined up as a shrub border. I wouldn't give up on your sweetspires, though. Shady conditions may limit the flower production and mute the autumn color. Gorgeous little plant. Also appropriate for moist soils along stream banks or pond/water garden peripheries. I plan to buy at least three more. Keep in a high-humidity area, and cover with plastic. Though this native plant is much beloved for its sweetly scented summer blooms, not all plants exhibit equally strong fragrance, so it was our primary goal in introducing our next variety. There is also at least one dwarf clethra available. (George Weigel) Q: My Virginia sweetspire plants have looked awful by summer's end the last two. Spikes of highly fragrant flowers bloom on the current season's woody stems in mid-summer. Warmer climates call for more shade. The foliage is a nice bright green in summer. Prefers moist, acidic, sandy soil but will also tolerate clay soil if its amended with compost to improve drainage. No problems, no diseases, not fussy at all and both have grown to 3'x3' with plenty of flowers and great Fall color. CareProvide full sun to partial shade and fertile, preferably acidic, medium to wet soil. Both plants attact large numbers of bees, something I consider a plus for the gardens and the ecology in general, but if bees are a problem for you, then you won't want these plants. are just awful for about a week each year thanks to the bees. Open them up and remove the seeds. | Letter from the Editor, Watch Out for New Garden Pests Heading This Way, Designing a Beautiful Back BorderPlanting Plan. In a partial shade spot, another clethra does not flower nearly as well. Plant summersweet in the spring. I just planted it this season so I will have to update my review on its performance once it is established. Because clethra bloom on new growth, prune during winter or early spring to avoid removing developing flower buds. SUMMERSWEET VARIETIES LANDSCAPING IDEAS BASICS Zones: 4-9 Plant type: Deciduous shrub Native area: Eastern and southern North America Exposure: Full sun to part shade Mature size: Typically 3 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, with the exception of dwarf varieties Growth rate: Slow Bloom time: Orange, green and red leaves all at once. Summersweet is 3 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 8 feet wide at maturity. That most likely would work, but if that's what you're going to have to do constantly to maintain a good-looking planting of sweetspires, that's when I'd give up and switch to fothergilla, summersweet, abelia, dwarf oakleaf hydrangea or another alternative. This sturdy native shrub is also remarkably adaptable, tolerating shade, soggy soil, and salty air, making it a valuable addition to woodland settings and coastal gardens. Houzz utilise des cookies et d'autres technologies de suivi similaires pour personnaliser mon exprience utilisateur, me proposer du contenu pertinent et amliorer ses produits et services. Very disappointed and am hoping for the brilliant fall color it is supposed to have. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. An area with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. It also attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Vanilla Spice summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)Photo by: Proven Winners. Propagate by cuttings. Deciduous. Clay and wet soil tolerant. Stay ahead of any root-suckering that may occur if you do not wish for the bushes to spread. They bloomed in 2019 no fragrance detected. Summersweet. Little Henry has lightly scented, pure white flowers that shoot like fireworks in the early summer horizon. Will grow in shade, but flowering and fall color improves when the plant gets at least some sun each day. 2023 Proven Winners North America LLC. This was a big selling point for me and I would have chosen something else for the area of my garden where I was really looking forward to the scent. Great for massing on large banks, in beds, and perennial and shrub borders. Consistent moisture in well-draining soil is a must. ProblemsFungal dieback and root rot can occur. These shrubs are native to the eastern regions of the United States, where they can be found in woods and thickets, often in swampy areas and along streams. 2023 Proven Winners North America LLC. Foliage until first hard frost. I admire it daily as I walk past it and it feels like it is different every day. ), that might be the right one. Locate a Sunny Spot. of the member-only content library. The plant belongs to one of only two genera in the Clethraceae (white alder) family, with Purdiaea being the other genus. Not sure which Clethra to pick?Compare All Clethra, Buy Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' (Summersweet). Find out where you fall in the USDA Hardiness Zones database. We'll see how the plants perform Spring and Summer before making a final decision on the plants. In USDA growing zone 5a (the northern end of its range), a bush will likely experience several inches of winter dieback on the tops of the branches (they turn a tan color). Summersweet is a versatile shrub that thrives in most climates and is suitable as a specimen plant or a hedge. Problems Infrequent Genus : Clethra Zones : 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Plant Height : 3 to 6 feet Plant Width : 3 to 6 feet Bloom Time : Early Fall, Late Summer Characteristics : Fragrant Flowers, Showy Fall Foliage Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade Because of its versatility and modest size, summersweet bush has a multitude of uses in both formal and informal gardens. A dependable shrub that is native from coastal Maine south to north Florida and then west to the eastern edge of Texas. I planted two of the LIttle Henry shrubs in a western exposure that gets afternoon sun and heat. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Healthy Soil Is at the Heart of a Thriving Garden, Gardening Gift Ideas for Mothers Day 2023, 6 Fantastic Annuals to Grow From Seed in the Northwest, Lilacs: How to Grow Them and Favorite Varieties, Companion Planting for Successful Southern California Vegetable Gardens, Ready, Set, Spring! Sixteen Candles sweet pepperbush, or summersweet, is a newer cultivar of a popular native shrub. Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest of the member-only content library. Get plant information, gardening solutions, design inspiration and more in our weekly newsletter. Available in better garden centers in spring 2019. Itea virginica. Clethra alnifolia, commonly called summersweet, is a deciduous shrub that is native to swampy woodlands, wet marshes, stream banks and seashores, often in sandy soils, along the coast from Maine to Florida and west to Texas. Itea needs little maintenance. Fizzy Mizzy Sweetspire As low as $29.99 . Summersweet thrives in moist climates, and tolerates both heat above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and freezing cold winters. 'Little Henry' might work. In spite of the information that says it is not picky about pH conditions, it needs iron to do well in SE Wisconsin, where we have lime based soil. Prefers part shade and consistently moist, acidic, sandy soils. The first thing that occurs to me is that your plants are stressed in some way. Virginia sweetspire is a deciduous shrub with arching stems and alternate simple leaves that are oval in shape and dark green in color. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). In summer, Sixteen Candles is topped with aromatic, erect, butterfly-enticing white blooms for 4 to 6 weeks. Summer Sparkler Summersweet, Summer Sweet, Einstein Summersweet, Novacleein, or Clethra Alnifolia, is a compact, heavy-blooming, deciduous shrub packed with 12-inch floriferous spires of twisted, fragrant blooms, reminiscent of Albert Einstein's trademark hair. 20+ Rain Garden Plants Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Best all around shrub in my opinion. Tolerates clay soils. They suggested cutting back at least the older, thicker stems to the ground. Summersweet typically spreads to 4 to 6 feet and forms an oval shape. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. If desired, fertilize in spring with a granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs, like a rose fertilizer. Two fragrant and vigorous climbing plants for a spectacular With its rich purple blooms, Clematis Etoile Violette' is a Use our interactive toolsto design your dream garden. The spires came and went and absolutely no smell at all. Given ideal conditions, this plant can survive for up to 40 years. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Slow-growing summersweet's leaves are obovate and serrated, 1 1/2- to 4-inches long, and change from a glossy dark green in summer to yellow or brown in the fall. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies and bees.Genus name comes from the Greek klethra the name for alder of which the leaves resemble.Specific epithet means leaves like alder.Ruby Spice is most noted for its fragrant rose-pink flowers that bloom in late summer. It enjoys excellent resistance to insects and diseases. However, I did not get any blooms this year. Because it blooms on old wood (previous year's growth), pruning should be done immediately after blooming so that the plant can develop the wood necessary for next year's blooms. I'd hate to give up on sweetspire because it's a pretty plant when it's healthy. Burning Bush is a plant quite similar to this one, though it is more susceptible to disease and pests. Being a water-loving plant, it works well at the edges of ponds, streams, and marshy areas. I'm printing it all off so I can refer to it.Tammy. It is a rounded, suckering, densely-branched, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 3-6 (less frequently to 8) tall and is noted for producing a mid to late summer bloom of sweetly fragrant white flowers which appear in narrow, upright panicles (racemes to 2-6" long). During the late summer or early fall, collect the small brown seed pods from the plant. Enhancing the prolific floral display are lustrous green leaves that turn brilliant golden-yellow in fall. Control can be as simple as spraying the leaves (front and back) with water to knock them off, though further intervention with horticultural oils may be needed if mites are persistent. I would re-purchase based on the fall interest alone. Does anybody grow Moonlight in paris or tamora rose? I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BUSH TO ANYONE That likes a good fragrance and very pretty. Get the latest how-to and design inspiration articles plus special offers sent straight to your inbox. Size. Keeping a Virginia sweetspire in a container for the first season is entirely possible. It is a tough, dependable plant with three-season interest, especially in shady, wet sites. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Effective as a hedge. In spring, after new growth begins to emerge, you can remove any stems that aren't showing signs of life - do not prune until you see signs of new growth. The shallow root system is suckering and tends to form clumps. Stressed plants are more likely to run into bug and disease problems than "happy" ones in soils, sites and weather they prefer. In such climates, plant it along woodland edges where it gets partial shade, which will help the plants stay cool and thrive. Make sure there are other plants around, as the plant will look bare until the leaves appear at the end of spring. Here are ideas for taking advantage of its many attributes: RELATED: Which would you recommend? Has a compact habit similar to Hummingbird but with sturdier branches that hold the slender 6-inch flower spikes upright like candles rather than allowing them to flop over. These may survive into winter in some climates. I've read the reviews and was looking forward to seeing the blooms and pollinators. When the root system is well-established and trying to fight its way out of the container, it's time to plant it in the landscape. . Its yellow fall color extends the season of interest. . Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author. Best Flowering Shrubs for Season-Long Color This is a good plant for woodland gardens or at the front of the mixed border. Slow growing; reaches 3 to 4 ft. tall, slightly wider. Discover the right shrubs for your garden. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Wow, So much info. Choose Options. May be pruned after blooming if required. They were dormant when I got them. Serrate, obovate to oblong, glossy dark green leaves (to 3-4 long) turn variable but generally attractive shades of yellow to golden brown in fall. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. It prefers a slightly acidic pH but grows well in a range of soils. Once spring comes, you can rake it away. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. About 4 to 6 feet apart, depending on the size at maturity and the intended use. Itea is one of the few shrubs that will still flower reasonably well even in shade. I have a grouping of Little Henry Sweetspire right near my patio and love it. As low as $29.99 . I have both Itea 'Little Henry' and Clethra 'Ruby Spice'. The shrub grows best in partial shade and a moist, slightly acid soil. Full sun exposure will produce more vibrant fall color. Had beautiful red This Sugartina has fragrant white flowers that appear by mid-summer. Find locations near you that offer Proven Winners products. Get the latest how-to and design inspiration articles plus special offers sent straight to your inbox. It works well in a naturalized landscape or garden. Red and Black Chokeberry. The plant tolerates wetness but on poor sites is thin and straggly. Itea is one of the most shade tolerant flowering shrubs and thrives even in wet soils, making it an excellent problem solver. It prefers moist soils and will tolerate wet conditions. So far, the plant is doing very well. Merlot is named for its fall color which is dark red and persists into winter. Vanessa Richins Myers has a BS in horticulture and over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener. Sunlight is also a requirement, as these shrubs need full sun as well as slightly acidic soil to achieve the best results. I never pruned them at any point. I have clethra in sun here in Georgia and it does fine and flowers heavily. A profusion of fragrant white flower spikes attract butterflies. CareLike other summersweets, Sixteen Candles loves wet locations in partial shade but does fine in average garden soil in full sun. Good flowering shrub for shade or woodland gardens. Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. We also wanted a smaller variety that works with any size landscape, and outstanding fall color so that the plant stays interesting beyond its bloom time. This shrub usually grows to 3 to 6 feet in height, but can be up to 8-feet tall. Sugartina 'Crystalina' Summersweet. I would another, If i had space for it. The runners arent extremely aggressive. Work in a bit of pelleted sulfur or organic matter, such as sawdust or leaves. Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' (Summersweet) is a gorgeous, compact, slowly spreading, deciduous shrub that features bottlebrush spikes of extremely fragrant white flowers which bloom for 4-6 weeks in mid to late summer. Pollinators liked them. To jumpstart growth, feed in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer or an all-purpose organic plant food. You know a plant like Sugartina 'Crystalina' Summersweet that has two "sweet" words in its name must smell wonderful. Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), a native shrub, provides landscape interest across the seasons. It will come back strong in the spring. Get complete site access to expert advice, regional content, and more, plus the print magazine. Compact habit is excellent for small gardens. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. This year Henry Lots of good points here on things to consider. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. In part-shade conditions of less than 6 hours daily, the plant will grow less . Once roots are establishedat least five weeks, but likely longeryou can bring your cuttings outside to plant in your garden. Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. Best Flowering Shrubs for Season-Long Color, The Best Deer Resistant Plants for Your Garden, Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, Dark brown seed pods (similar in appearance to peppercorns) provide winter interest. Summersweet, or Clethra alnifolia, is a shrub that can tolerate areas of standing water and still thrive. Summersweet is tolerant of a range of garden conditions including shade . Sugartina 'Crystalina' Buy now from Proven Winners. That way you get blooms and fragrance at different points of the summer, and the great fall foliage of the sweetspire. To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. Sweetspire is an easy-care shrub, about four feet by four feet (1.2 by 1.2 meters) at maturity that isn't fussy about soil or weather conditions. less likely to get leggy, bloom better) than the other. To reverse this problem, it's important to make the soil more acidic. Native to the woodlands of eastern North America, it is a good choice for woodland borders. Some varieties are shorter than average for the species. Scentlandia sweetspire delivers on all three! There could be several reasons why your Virginia sweetspire isn't blooming, and the first of those reasons is waternot nearly enough of it. Flowers give way to dark brown seed capsules (1/8" diameter) which may persist into winter. Create long-lasting, pleasing contrasts in your garden. Their scent will hang beautifully in the air! 'Sixteen Candles' sweet pepperbush, or summersweet, is a newer cultivar of a popular native shrub. Hot climates call for more water. To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. If you dont want your shrubs to naturalize, simply clip away the suckers from the base of the plant to maintain a more formal appearance. This shrub is the rare type that divides easily by cutting its root ball into sections, thanks to its prolific suckering habit. Check these Great Plant Combination Ideas with Clethra, An Eye-Catching Border Idea with colorful Allium and Euphorbia, A Super Climbing Duo with Clematis 'Viola', A Super Climbing Duo with Clematis montana Grandiflora, A Super Climbing Duo with Clematis 'The President', A Super Climbing Trio with Clematis 'Ville de Lyon', A Super Climbing Trio with Clematis and Roses, A Super Climbing Duo with Crimson Roses and Purple Clematis, 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, A2, A3, Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' (Summersweet), Densely-branched, rounded, this summer-flowering shrub spreads slowly by suckers and typically grows 2-4 feet tall (60-120 cm) with a spread of 3-5 ft. (90-150 cm). I purchased 6 of these and absolutely love them. Use as an underplanting beneath trees or in a woodland garden. Summersweet typically spreads to 4 to 6 feet and forms an oval shape.

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