FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Plants, Design Ideas, Gardening Solutions & More! Open them up and remove the seeds. My ilex cornuta shrubs (trees?) As of August 2020, they have gotten larger over the course of the year and put out upward branches in a loose open habit but also runners underground. They bloomed in 2019 no fragrance detected. I just planted it this season so I will have to update my review on its performance once it is established. The seed capsules turn brown and persist on the plant in . Softwood stem cuttings, taken in early summer, are the best way to propagate summersweet. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. Attracts butterflies. Is blooming and starting to increase in They will also do well in full sun as long as you keep the soil moist. This shrub flowers on new wood, so pruning for shape is best done in spring. 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 Little Henry is a useful native plant with lots of potential for the home landscape. Fizzy Mizzy Sweetspire As low as $29.99 . It is also wet site tolerant. I see them struggle the most in full sun, compacted clay and heat- and drought-prone spots. of the member-only content library. However, it might develop flea beetles or leaf spot. They suggested cutting back at least the older, thicker stems to the ground. Available in better garden centers in spring 2019. I have both Itea 'Little Henry' and Clethra 'Ruby Spice'. Here are ideas for taking advantage of its many attributes: RELATED: It has a long period of good autumn color with leaves that turn shades of red, orange, and gold. I would another, If i had space for it. I am disappointed in the lack of scent, especially given its name, so for this alone I would rate the shrub as 3 stars. Plant in spring after the ground thaws or in early fall before it freezes. Looking forward to hopefully having blooms next year. Thrives in moist, wet areas, but once established, can tolerate dry conditions. Characteristics Plant Type: Shrub Shrub Type: Deciduous Height Category: Short Garden Height: 24 - 36 Inches Spacing: 24 - 36 Inches Spread: 24 - 36 Inches Flower Colors: White Foliage Colors: Green Foliage Shade: Green Habit: Mounded Container Role: Filler Plant Needs Light Requirement: Full Shade Because of its versatility and modest size, summersweet bush has a multitude of uses in both formal and informal gardens. It also attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. Get planting advice, garden design tips and trends, monthly checklists for your area, product specials and more in our weekly newsletter. It produces fragrant drooping white flowers in early summer and turns deep red in the fall. Sweetspires are supposedly versatile and not picky about soil, but I see them doing best in damp soil that's well drained, rich in organic matter, and sited in morning sun and afternoon shade. There's no need for cold stratification to germinate. 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). Find out where you fall in the USDA Hardiness Zones database. Find locations near you that offer Proven Winners products. Choose Options. Such dieback in winter means the loss of some of the flower buds that produce blooms in spring. I have a grouping of Little Henry Sweetspire right near my patio and love it. This plant is best grown in full sun, part shade or full shade in average, medium to wet, slightly acid, well-drained soils. One of the largest summersweet cultivars, featuring rose-colored buds that gradually soften to pale pink as the flowers open and mature. Typically grows 3-4' (less frequently to 5') tall with a similar spread. For me, clethra blooms much later (in the summer) than itea (late spring bloomer). Eventually, the leaves turn yellow and die. The Best Deer Resistant Plants for Your Garden Clay and wet soil tolerant. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. Its branches are dense, making it suitable for hedges or privacy screens (best in summer, of course). Merlot is named for its fall color which is dark red and persists into winter. Place your shrub in the hole, gently spreading out the roots, and then backfill to ground level and water well. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas. Note this is the default cart. I planted them in groups of 3 in 3 locations around my home. Noteworthy CharacteristicsFragrant flowers. Spider mites may be a concern in dry conditions. It enjoys, Promptly remove root suckers unless a naturalized look is desired. Deleting this collection CANNOT be undone. 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. An area with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. It prefers acidic, sandy soil that is moist but will tolerate clay soils, as long as they're amended with organic material, and full shade. Summersweet is hard to transplant and slow to recover from transplanting. It grows well in both full sun and partial shade, though it will achieve the best shape, flower color, and fall color in full sun. Bears exceptionally large, pure white flowers almost a foot in length, nearly twice the size of other varieties. Sweetspire Itea virginica 'Merlot' is a Sweetspire with fragrant white flowers in June and has the most compact habit of our Iteas, with burgundy fall foliage. Itea is one of the few shrubs that will still flower reasonably well even in shade. Once the roots are in place, you can move it out to the landscape. Because clethra bloom on new growth, prune during winter or early spring to avoid removing developing flower buds. The flowers are notable for their size, how late they bloom, and their ability to bloom even in the shade. Although these bushes are considered plants tolerant of wet groundand clay soils, they will nonetheless perform best in well-drained soils. Size. Summersweet is a versatile shrub that thrives in most climates and is suitable as a specimen plant or a hedge. Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant. Root suckering will be most prevalent with shrubs planted in wet ground. That way you get blooms and fragrance at different points of the summer, and the great fall foliage of the sweetspire. 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! Pruning in the spring risks removing the flower buds. Itea virginica, commonly called Virginia sweetspire, is an erect, rounded, broad-spreading, deciduous shrub with arching branches. She has 30+ years of experience with year-round organic gardening; seed starting and saving; growing heirloom plants, perennials, and annuals; and sustainable and urban farming. Lots of good points here on things to consider. To form solid hedges, space plants a distance equal to their mature width. Burning Bush is a plant quite similar to this one, though it is more susceptible to disease and pests. Flowers give way to dark brown seed capsules (1/8" diameter) which may persist into winter. Effective in mass, mixed into perennial borders or along foundations. 1. 'Sixteen Candles' sweet pepperbush, or summersweet, is a newer cultivar of a popular native shrub. I planted two of the LIttle Henry shrubs in a western exposure that gets afternoon sun and heat. This shrub is the rare type that divides easily by cutting its root ball into sections, thanks to its prolific suckering habit. The blooms are raceme flowers, 2- to 6-inches long, that may be white, pink, or rose-colored and have a sweet fragrance. And if I battle the scales, how would I go about it? It is originally from eastern and southern North America, but grows naturally along the Atlantic coast and west to Texas. 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. The only common problems that this shrub faces are spider mites. A good choice for smaller gardens and tight spaces. Pollinators liked them. What plants are similar to Virginia Sweetspire? Root greenwood cuttings in early summer. Elsewhere, summersweet looks nice when grouped in planting beds or lined up as a shrub border. . That'll take the majority of scale insects and eggs along with it. So far, the plant is doing very well. For a much larger shrub, go with Hollyleaf Sweetspire which can grow up to 12 feet high. Native to swampy woodlands and marshes, clethra flourish in wet ground and will even tolerate standing water, making them a good choice for low-lying areas of the garden. They're also very good about pushing up new growth from the roots, even when most or all of the top growth is totally whacked back. Grow taller varieties as hedges or privacy screens or as a backdrop in a perennial garden. Enhancing the prolific floral display are lustrous green leaves that turn brilliant golden-yellow in fall. Best all around shrub in my opinion. Here's what a colony of Virginia sweetspires should look like when not attacked by fungus or bugs. The plant belongs to one of only two genera in the Clethraceae (white alder) family, with Purdiaea being the other genus. Given ideal conditions, this plant can survive for up to 40 years. A dwarf summersweet shrub with fragrant white flowers and a dense, rounded shape. We sniffed dozens of different sweetspires in pursuit of the most fragrant variety, and we can say with confidence that we've found it in Scentlandia itea. Make sure there are other plants around, as the plant will look bare until the leaves appear at the end of spring. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. We'll see if they make it. Once spring comes, you can rake it away. Nice plant for an area you want to be filled in away from the house where deer are not a problem. I am adding an iron product to the soil and hope that it improves the health of the plants. 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. It is a lovely shrub and is doing well (I make sure that it gets enough water, especially during this year's drought) except that it has chlorosis. Red and Black Chokeberry. You can deadhead to remove flowers past their prime, but otherwise, you can usually just leave this shrub alone unless you desire a neatly groomed look. Its fragrant, bottlebrush flowers are a darker pink; they attract butterflies, bees, and other insects in late summer and early fall. Photo by: Tim Ludwig / Millette Photomedia. 2023 Proven Winners North America LLC. Sign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips. All rights reserved (About Us). I did and found LOTS of scales up and down the stems. Sugartina 'Crystalina' Buy now from Proven Winners. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Purchased this plant in late April and over the past three months it has adapted well and had significant growth. Keep in a high-humidity area, and cover with plastic. I want to put something , not to tall, around my cement patio. Get complete site access to expert advice, regional content, and more, plus the print magazine. 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. If you want to give these a go, Id suggest to try to buy when they are in bloom to see if they have a scent. Finally, give the plants a good soaking and try to keep them damp throughout at least this first summer. But OH MY WORD! However, I did not get any blooms this year. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. They will tolerate short periods of drought but perform best when they receive regular water. Virginia sweetspire grows best full sun but will tolerate part shade. 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. Summersweets are somewhat unique among flowering shrubs because of their ability to bloom in shady locations in late summer when few other shrubs are in bloom. Tolerates clay soils. Copyright 2023. During the late summer or early fall, collect the small brown seed pods from the plant. A: I've seen occasional fungal leaf-spotting on Virginia sweetspires, but scale attack isn't common. 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: Locate a Sunny Spot. 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. Summersweet spreads slowly by suckering roots and will colonize over time. They also suggested as an option pulling the plants and starting over again. The Latin name for summersweet is Clethra alnifolia. In fall, the leaves turn an attractive yellow. If desired, fertilize in spring with a granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs, like a rose fertilizer. 'Little Henry' might work. 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. Noteworthy CharacteristicsA shorter cultivar selected for its sturdy branching system and large (up to 6 inches), upright, white flowering "candles". Ruby Spice Summersweet shrub is a huge color breakthrough for summersweet shrubs that features rich rose-pink blooms that are a first for flowering Clethra. Perfectly suited for covering large banks, beds and borders. Then I'd look for an afternoon-shade location and transplant the stubby remnants and roots there. I'm in zone 5, mid Missouri. Its natural environment includes wet and swampy areas of woodland as well as marshes and river banks. Hot climates call for more water. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BUSH TO ANYONE That likes a good fragrance and very pretty. Summersweet prefers moist soil and even grows well in areas with standing water. 20+ Rain Garden Plants You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. 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. A compact cultivar bearing large clusters of clove-scented white flowers that are irresistible to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. The leaves have been getting black spots, and now my tree-care company told me they noticed scale insects. 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). Not fussy about soil pH. They were purchased at 3 different times of the year from 2 different sellers in spring 2019. Will grow in shade, but flowering and fall color improves when the plant gets at least some sun each day. Accept Native to the woodlands of eastern North America, it is a good choice for woodland borders. 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. Mature stems have scaly, dark gray to brown black bark. A broad, upright habit makes it well-suited for use as a fragrant hedge or privacy screen. The species is native to the eastern United States. Summersweet typically spreads to 4 to 6 feet and forms an oval shape. Spikes of highly fragrant flowers bloom on the current season's woody stems in mid-summer. 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. I planted this spring. Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest Also the facts that should be considered when making a choice:-itea could tolerate both, full sun and part-shade, while clethra prefer to be in a more shady locations,-fall foliage of itea is very attractive crimson-burgundy, while clethra's is yellow-bronze,-itea blooms on old wood and could be/should be pruned if necessary right after the bloom, clethra blooms on a new wood and could be/should be pruned in early spring,-itea leafs out early, while clethra stays 'naked' till May. Except for fertilization and minor pruning, this plant is maintenance-free. I purchased 6 of these and absolutely love them. Here is a link that might be useful: Little Henry in fall. The serrated, glossy, dark green foliage turns golden-yellow in fall. 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. I'm starting to see some of the red fall color! I've read the reviews and was looking forward to seeing the blooms and pollinators. Summersweet typically spreads to 4 to 6 feet and forms an oval shape. This compact Sweetspire starts out the summer with a beautiful display of fragrant white flowers that blanket the shrub. 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. 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! As another review said, I purchased this for the fall interest and for the lovely smell that it is supposed to possess. Sixteen Candles sweet pepperbush, or summersweet, is a newer cultivar of a popular native shrub. Additional feeding during the growing season is not necessary. Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), a native shrub, provides landscape interest across the seasons. Join now and start creating your dream garden! Sugartina 'Crystalina' Summersweet. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. Provide moist, humus-rich, slightly acidic, well . Spread 2-3 Feet Wide. After the bloom, the flowers leave small, dark brown seed capsule fruits that look like peppercorns. 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. To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. BEST SMELL,I have it at my front porch. Vanilla Spice Buy now from Proven Winners. Deciduous. Create appealing and long-lasting planting judywhite / GardenPhotos.com, Botanik Foto. . Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, How to Grow and Care for Japanese Barberry, How to Grow and Care for Mexican Bush Sage, How to Grow and Care for Kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium), How to Grow and Care for Chinese Snowball Viburnum, How to Grow and Care for Rockspray Cotoneaster, Summersweet, sweet pepperbush, clethra, coastal sweet pepperbush, poor man's soap. "Take time to smell the flowers" doesn't have to be just a clich. Not sure which Clethra to pick?Compare All Clethra, Buy Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' (Summersweet). Get the latest how-to and design inspiration articles plus special offers sent straight to your inbox. Prune if needed in late winter. I bought 2 Itea quart-size in 2015 when we first moved to our house, located on a windy mountain, zone 6, and on heavy, wet Virginia clay. In the northern part of the hardiness range, winter cold may cause dieback of the branch tips. The scent and flowers are perfect in the garden and the winter interest color is gorgeous. Promptly remove root suckers unless naturalized look is desired. They were dormant when I got them. My understanding is both summersweet and virginia sweetspire would be good potential candidates for this location, but was wondering if one would be better suited (i.e. 20 Fragrant Flowering Plants Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. The spires came and went and absolutely no smell at all. What is not to love??? One of the darkest pink-flowered cultivars, flaunting deep rosy pink flowers notable for retaining their color intensity without fading. Find a Garden Center that carries Proven Winners plants & products. It also attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Virginia sweetspire is a deciduous shrub with arching stems and alternate simple leaves that are oval in shape and dark green in color. Consistent moisture in well-draining soil is a must. 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. You know a plant like Sugartina 'Crystalina' Summersweet that has two "sweet" words in its name must smell wonderful. Summersweet thrives in moist climates, and tolerates both heat above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and freezing cold winters. Consider the hours of sunlight you wish your summersweet to receive during its growing season. Good flowering shrub for shade or woodland gardens. Summersweet is a medium-sized deciduous shrub that adds color and fragrance to your garden with its late-summer blooms. Warmer climates call for more shade. Get the latest how-to and design inspiration articles plus special offers sent straight to your inbox. 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Garden Uses: Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), also called summersweet, is a Maryland native plant found in forested wetlands, floodplains, and swamps. Then, fall. When the pH of the soil creeps above 7.0, Virginia sweetspire is prone to developing chlorosis. There is also at least one dwarf clethra available. Water these shrubs quite often when they are young and getting established, then weekly when they mature (one inch per week). One of its most attractive characteristics is to produce great blooms in shady locations. Tolerates full shade. Orange, green and red leaves all at once. Store them in a sealed container, tucked away in the refrigerator until spring rolls around. The shrub grows best in partial shade and a moist, slightly acid soil. I've seen some new growth in the month or so since planted. Top reasons to grow Scentlandia sweetspire: - More fragrant than other sweetspire varieties, - Better bud hardiness means better performance in USDA zones 5 and 6, - One of the most shade tolerant flowering shrubs. She is a former Clemson University Extension Agent. This summersweet is a sport of C. alnifolia Pink Spires. Bury the seed one inch in the soil and keep it moist. 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. Sugartina 'Crystalina' summersweet(Clethra alnifolia)Photo by: Proven Winners. As noted by others it depends on your preferred features. Use clean garden shears to cut 3- to 4-inch cuttings, taken in the morning, from well-established healthy plants. Then use a good potting medium and seed trays to germinate the plants indoors. This shrub usually grows to 3 to 6 feet in height, but can be up to 8-feet tall. Ideally, plant these shrubs in a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Plant summersweet in an area that receives full sun to part shade. Features fragrant, tiny white flowers borne in cylindrical, drooping racemes (3-6" long) which cover the shrub . So, I'm only rating this plant as satisfactory. Its mounded, compact stature makes it an improvement over older varieties such as the old favorite 'Henry's Garnet'. 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. Keeping a Virginia sweetspire in a container for the first season is entirely possible. As bboy says, there are dwarf choices for each. Itea needs little maintenance.
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