They bloomed in 2019 no fragrance detected. Prune if needed in late winter. Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest Once the roots are in place, you can move it out to the landscape. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Photo by: Tim Ludwig / Millette Photomedia. 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. Provide moist, humus-rich, slightly acidic, well . Choose Options. 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. Summersweet is a versatile shrub that thrives in most climates and is suitable as a specimen plant or a hedge. She is a former Clemson University Extension Agent. Does anybody grow Moonlight in paris or tamora rose? Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Summersweet is a versatile shrub that thrives in most climates and is suitable as a specimen plant or a hedge. 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. As summer progresses shiny, disease-free foliage appears until fall when the foliage turns a stunning garnet-red. Bed. Also appropriate for moist soils along stream banks or pond/water garden peripheries. 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. Great for grouping and for massing on large banks, in beds, and perennial and shrub borders. Lots of good points here on things to consider. Prune as needed to maintain the desired shape and remove dead, diseased, and damaged branches. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. It also attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. There's no need for cold stratification to germinate. The Latin name for summersweet is Clethra alnifolia. If so, and the site is suitable, maybe do a mixed planting. Soil: moist to wet soil; pH 4.5-6.5. This plant can work in a variety of soil pHs, types, and moisture levels. Use in a mixed border with other spring- and summer-blooming shrubs that like moist soils, such as. To reverse this problem, it's important to make the soil more acidic. 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! In such climates, plant it along woodland edges where it gets partial shade, which will help the plants stay cool and thrive. Scentlandia sweetspire delivers on all three! I am a huge fan of Proven Winners and own a lot of their shrubs, perennials, and annuals, and they usually do not disappoint. 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. To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. Copyright 2023. It is originally from eastern and southern North America, but grows naturally along the Atlantic coast and west to Texas. PropagationSow seed at 43 to 54F in spring or autumn. In summer, Sixteen Candles is topped with aromatic, erect, butterfly-enticing white blooms for 4 to 6 weeks. 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. I'm starting to see some of the red fall color! Loaded with fragrant blooms every spring which last into summer - always evoking comments from visitors. Then, fall. 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. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. 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. Read our. 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). In early spring, fertilize your summersweet with a slow-release formula meant for trees and shrubs. Itea virginica, commonly called Virginia sweetspire, is an erect, rounded, broad-spreading, deciduous shrub with arching branches. 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. For me, clethra blooms much later (in the summer) than itea (late spring bloomer). I've read the reviews and was looking forward to seeing the blooms and pollinators. 20 Fragrant Flowering Plants When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Here are ideas for taking advantage of its many attributes: RELATED: Choose Options. You know a plant like Sugartina 'Crystalina' Summersweet that has two "sweet" words in its name must smell wonderful. Also may be naturalized in cottage gardens, wild gardens or naturalized areas. It likes humusy soils, so mixing in compost before planting is a good idea. Best Flowering Shrubs for Season-Long Color Plant near a patio or other outdoor living space to fully enjoy the sweet-smelling flowers. Because clethra bloom on new growth, prune during winter or early spring to avoid removing developing flower buds. Some varieties are shorter than average for the species. 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. Spikes of highly fragrant flowers bloom on the current season's woody stems in mid-summer. 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. I'm in zone 5, mid Missouri. 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. It is also an attractive plant in late spring and summer when the long racemes of fragrant white . It is also a delightful addition to the mixed border. | Letter from the Editor, Watch Out for New Garden Pests Heading This Way, Designing a Beautiful Back BorderPlanting Plan. Eventually, the leaves turn yellow and die. 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 'Sixteen Candles' sweet pepperbush, or summersweet, is a newer cultivar of a popular native shrub. 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. Wandering roots and stems can easily be chopped off and transplanted. So far, the plant is doing very well. This shrub flowers on new wood, so pruning for shape is best done in spring. Itea is one of the few shrubs that will still flower reasonably well even in shade. I planted two of the LIttle Henry shrubs in a western exposure that gets afternoon sun and heat. I find the fragrance of the Clethra more dramatic but find the fall foliage of 'Little Henry' one of the best fall foliage plants. Features fragrant, tiny white flowers borne in cylindrical, drooping racemes (3-6" long) which cover the shrub . The shallow root system is suckering and tends to form clumps. Here is a link that might be useful: Little Henry in fall. Here is a link that might be useful: Little Henry in fall Iris GW 16 years ago bogie 16 years ago erictammy Original Author 16 years ago Wow, So much info. The runners arent extremely aggressive. Summersweet is 3 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 8 feet wide at maturity. Its small size makes it perfect for smaller borders and beds. Plant this shrub in humusy, well-drained soil that is somewhat on the moist side. I've seen some new growth in the month or so since planted. It enjoys excellent resistance to insects and diseases. 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. Looking forward to hopefully having blooms next year. A profusion of fragrant white flower spikes attract butterflies. Burning Bush is a plant quite similar to this one, though it is more susceptible to disease and pests. They will tolerate short periods of drought but perform best when they receive regular water. Pollinators liked them. There is also at least one dwarf clethra available. Native from southern New Jersey down to Florida, it is winter hardy to Zone 5 . 2023 Proven Winners North America LLC. During the late summer or early fall, collect the small brown seed pods from the plant. Be inspired with our Gardener's Idea Book and Winner's Circle newsletter, Scentlandia - Sweetspire - Itea virginica. As noted by others it depends on your preferred features. In colder areas, sweetspire may experience a bit of weather damage coming out of winter, so prune any dead wood out after new growth has begun. The foliage is a nice bright green in summer. Planted Little Henry last fall. Use a 3-inch layer of organic mulch to protect your summersweet in the winter. Cover with a thin layer of sand, then keep them in low light under plastic. A good choice for smaller gardens and tight spaces. 20+ Rain Garden Plants Mature stems have scaly, dark gray to brown black bark. 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. As colorful as burning bush, but native to North America and pollinator friendly! The species is native to the eastern United States. Accept Here's what a colony of Virginia sweetspires should look like when not attacked by fungus or bugs. Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant. Spread 2-3 Feet Wide. In the right conditions, it can spread and fill in quickly via suckering roots, making it good for erosion control. Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. I want to put something , not to tall, around my cement patio. 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. I'd hate to give up on sweetspire because it's a pretty plant when it's healthy. Vanilla Spice Buy now from Proven Winners. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. It produces fragrant drooping white flowers in early summer and turns deep red in the fall. Only plants will be removed from the collection. Summersweet prefers moist soil and even grows well in areas with standing water. The foliage of the Little Henry Sweetspire is stunning. less likely to get leggy, bloom better) than the other. Use clean garden shears to cut 3- to 4-inch cuttings, taken in the morning, from well-established healthy plants. Virginia sweetspire grows quite well in very hot conditions, provided it gets plenty of water. This results in a lack of chlorophyll, which in turn results in leaves that lose their color and fade. I'm printing it all off so I can refer to it.Tammy. Mass or group in lawns, foundations or shrub borders. I am disappointed in the lack of scent, especially given its name, so for this alone I would rate the shrub as 3 stars. 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. 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. The flowers are produced on vertical flower spikes about 6 inches long that protrude from the glossy green foliage. Thanks. Because of its versatility and modest size, summersweet bush has a multitude of uses in both formal and informal gardens. Size. Height 2.5-3 Feet Tall. 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. The plant belongs to one of only two genera in the Clethraceae (white alder) family, with Purdiaea being the other genus. In landscape design, they are especially effective massed or grouped in sunny or shady flowering shrub borders, butterfly and hummingbird gardens. Make sure there are other plants around, as the plant will look bare until the leaves appear at the end of spring. This shrub is the rare type that divides easily by cutting its root ball into sections, thanks to its prolific suckering habit. 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. Sweetspire's dagger-like leaves will change from green to red and orange as they turn. Its fragrant, bottlebrush flowers are a darker pink; they attract butterflies, bees, and other insects in late summer and early fall. Suggested Use: Hedge, Naturalize, Rain Garden, Tolerate: Heavy Shade, Erosion, Clay Soil, Wet Soil. Does well in sun or shade, dry or wet soil, all types of soil (normal, clay or sandy) & nice red fall color! Pruning in the spring risks removing the flower buds. The serrated, glossy, dark green foliage turns golden-yellow in fall. I planted them in groups of 3 in 3 locations around my home. Plant near a patio to enjoy the fragrant late summer bloom. 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. Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm). Attracts butterflies. Full shade is tolerated. Elsewhere, summersweet looks nice when grouped in planting beds or lined up as a shrub border. The flowers are notable for their size, how late they bloom, and their ability to bloom even in the shade. 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. Their vibrant color will create a pop of color in your border until those first frosts settle in. If desired, fertilize in spring with a granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs, like a rose fertilizer. Deciduous. Given ideal conditions, this plant can survive for up to 40 years. Water these shrubs quite often when they are young and getting established, then weekly when they mature (one inch per week). In summer, 'Sixteen Candles' is topped with aromatic, erect, butterfly-enticing white blooms for 4 to 6 weeks. 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. This compact selection reaches 3 to 5 feet tall. Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Noteworthy CharacteristicsA shorter cultivar selected for its sturdy branching system and large (up to 6 inches), upright, white flowering "candles". Consistent moisture in well-draining soil is a must. Then when you're not expecting anything more, green summer foliage changes to a brilliant multitude of oranges and reds in the fall, making Little Henry a rewarding experience through out all seasons. Being a water-loving plant, it works well at the edges of ponds, streams, and marshy areas. Summersweet seeds are easy to plant and they germinate quickly; seeds can be harvested in autumn and have no specific storage needs. Shady conditions may limit the flower production and mute the autumn color. You could also divide the plants if you'd like during the move. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Growing Zones: 3 . Will grow in shade, but flowering and fall color improves when the plant gets at least some sun each day. To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of our site. The plant tolerates wetness but on poor sites is thin and straggly. A compact cultivar bearing large clusters of clove-scented white flowers that are irresistible to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. That way you get blooms and fragrance at different points of the summer, and the great fall foliage of the sweetspire. Though the plant can be started indoors, once a root system is established in the container, it needs to go into the ground to thrive. I have a grouping of Little Henry Sweetspire right near my patio and love it. Opening from bottom to top, they are very attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, at a time of the year when there's not a wealth of nectars to choose from. When the seedling is robust, plant it in a small container and let it establish a root system. 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. Softwood stem cuttings, taken in early summer, are the best way to propagate summersweet. Full Shade to Full Sun. 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). Once roots are establishedat least five weeks, but likely longeryou can bring your cuttings outside to plant in your garden. Noteworthy Characteristics. Summersweet, or Clethra alnifolia, is a shrub that can tolerate areas of standing water and still thrive. They suggested cutting back at least the older, thicker stems to the ground. Keep in a high-humidity area, and cover with plastic. Summersweet thrives in moist climates, and tolerates both heat above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and freezing cold winters. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during the first growing season. I purchased 6 of these and absolutely love them. A wonderful native plant from Mark Griffith, and our favorite Sweetspire for color and habit. I want to be able to see over the plants if I want to sit out on my patio. And if I battle the scales, how would I go about it? An area with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Get the latest how-to and design inspiration articles plus special offers sent straight to your inbox. Spider mites may be a concern in dry conditions. 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. Water regularly as needed so the soil does not dry out. Virginia sweetspire grows best full sun but will tolerate part shade. One of the darkest pink-flowered cultivars, flaunting deep rosy pink flowers notable for retaining their color intensity without fading. 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! The fall color on this plant is brilliant. Summersweet can tolerate salty air and even salt spray from nearby streets in urban areas. Growing Zones: 5-9 Proven Winners. I have a grouping of Little Henry Sweetspire right near my patio and love it. Place your shrub in the hole, gently spreading out the roots, and then backfill to ground level and water well. The flowers give way to spikes of dark brown fruits which persist into winter, providing continuing interest. Is blooming and starting to increase in He's planted in a alkaline soil with some shade. It is also wet site tolerant. Plant dwarf summersweet cultivars in smaller garden beds to add structural interest and late-summer blooms. 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. Water seedlings as needed, then plant when they're sturdy. Summersweet. I have clethra in sun here in Georgia and it does fine and flowers heavily. Nice plant for an area you want to be filled in away from the house where deer are not a problem. 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. Root suckering will be most prevalent with shrubs planted in wet ground. * Required FieldsWe will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations. Itea is one of the most shade tolerant flowering shrubs and thrives even in wet soils, making it an excellent problem solver. Typically grows 3-4' (less frequently to 5') tall with a similar spread. Promptly remove root suckers unless naturalized look is desired. Sugartina 'Crystalina' Buy now from Proven Winners. It works well in a naturalized landscape or garden. Its yellow fall color extends the season of interest. To use the website as intended please Native to the woodlands of eastern North America, it is a good choice for woodland borders. Use as an underplanting beneath trees or in a woodland garden. Be inspired with our Gardener's Idea Book and Winner's Circle newsletter, Little Henry - Sweetspire - Itea virginica. Root greenwood cuttings in early summer. That'll take the majority of scale insects and eggs along with it. Noteworthy CharacteristicsFragrant flowers. are just awful for about a week each year thanks to the bees. One of the largest summersweet cultivars, featuring rose-colored buds that gradually soften to pale pink as the flowers open and mature. As low as $29.99 . These may survive into winter in some climates. Little Henry Sweetspire. Tolerates full shade. Work in a bit of pelleted sulfur or organic matter, such as sawdust or leaves. 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. May be pruned after blooming if required. bought five of them and the deer have said Thank You. Little Henry is a useful native plant with lots of potential for the home landscape. CareLike other summersweets, Sixteen Candles loves wet locations in partial shade but does fine in average garden soil in full sun. Its small stature makes it a nice choice for adding color and scent to perennial gardens. Stay ahead of any root-suckering that may occur if you do not wish for the bushes to spread. Vanessa Richins Myers has a BS in horticulture and over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener. The Best Deer Resistant Plants for Your Garden Here's what a colony of Virginia sweetspires should look like when not attacked by fungus or bugs. 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. Store them in a sealed container, tucked away in the refrigerator until spring rolls around. PropagationTake greenwood cuttings in early summer. 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. 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. . After the bloom, the flowers leave small, dark brown seed capsule fruits that look like peppercorns. The only common problems that this shrub faces are spider mites. It is a tough, dependable plant with three-season interest, especially in shady, wet sites. In colder areas, sweetspire may experience a bit of weather damage coming out of winter, so prune any dead wood out after new growth has begun. The leaves have been getting black spots, and now my tree-care company told me they noticed scale insects. Feed these plants each spring with a balanced granular fertilizer mixed into the soil. In fall, the leaves turn an attractive yellow. Chokeberries, also known as Aronia, are multi-stemmed shrubs with white flowers, red or black glossy berries, and great red fall color. I've bought 2 more to put a nice arc around my For a much larger shrub, go with Hollyleaf Sweetspire which can grow up to 12 feet high. Definitely loved by the deer and it colonizes out of control. The shrub has a rounded habit and produces cylindrical drooping flowers (racemes) from late spring to mid-summer. They will also do well in full sun as long as you keep the soil moist. ProblemsFungal dieback and root rot can occur. 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