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. Summersweet is a medium-sized deciduous shrub that adds color and fragrance to your garden with its late-summer blooms. USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. Virginia sweetspire does well during the winter, though those in colder climates might see some dieback of the tips of the shrub during the harsh cold. Enhancing the prolific floral display are lustrous green leaves that turn brilliant golden-yellow in fall. Planted Little Henry last fall. Plant in spring after the ground thaws or in early fall before it freezes. The foliage is a nice bright green in summer. Its natural environment includes wet and swampy areas of woodland as well as marshes and river banks. Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), a native shrub, provides landscape interest across the seasons. Spikes of highly fragrant flowers bloom on the current season's woody stems in mid-summer. A wonderful native plant from Mark Griffith, and our favorite Sweetspire for color and habit. It produces fragrant drooping white flowers in early summer and turns deep red in the fall. A: I've seen occasional fungal leaf-spotting on Virginia sweetspires, but scale attack isn't common. Noteworthy CharacteristicsFragrant flowers. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read our. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. 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. Any ideas?Tammy. Then watch for a return of the leaf-spotting and scale. They were both planted on a small slope, with sun until early afternoon, and have been absolutely great the entire time. This plant is best grown in full sun to part shade in average, medium to wet, acidic, sandy soils. 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. 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. Except for fertilization and minor pruning, this plant is maintenance-free. When the pH of the soil creeps above 7.0, Virginia sweetspire is prone to developing chlorosis. There's no need for cold stratification to germinate. For one thing, they're survivors that'll often keep coming back year after year even though they're suffering disease or bug issues. Time to give up on the scraggly sweetspire plants? Gardening - pennlive 1. About 4 to 6 feet apart, depending on the size at maturity and the intended use. Once roots are establishedat least five weeks, but likely longeryou can bring your cuttings outside to plant in your garden. I just planted it this season so I will have to update my review on its performance once it is established. For me, clethra blooms much later (in the summer) than itea (late spring bloomer). of the member-only content library. This shrub is the rare type that divides easily by cutting its root ball into sections, thanks to its prolific suckering habit. One of the largest summersweet cultivars, featuring rose-colored buds that gradually soften to pale pink as the flowers open and mature. less likely to get leggy, bloom better) than the other. I planted two of the LIttle Henry shrubs in a western exposure that gets afternoon sun and heat. Additional feeding during the growing season is not necessary. Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device. Burning Bush is a plant quite similar to this one, though it is more susceptible to disease and pests. In summer, Sixteen Candles is topped with aromatic, erect, butterfly-enticing white blooms for 4 to 6 weeks. Summer Sparkler Summersweet | Plant Addicts It likes humusy soils, so mixing in compost before planting is a good idea. Merlot is named for its fall color which is dark red and persists into winter. A versatile shrub for shrub borders, open woodland gardens, foundations . Mulch is a good idea. Mass or group in lawns, foundations or shrub borders. Growing Zones: 3 . Great for massing on large banks, in beds, and perennial and shrub borders. I wouldn't give up on your sweetspires, though. Find a Garden Center that carries Proven Winners plants & products. 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 Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. You say to plant "around" the patio, does that mean you are looking at planting several? Summersweet seeds are easy to plant and they germinate quickly; seeds can be harvested in autumn and have no specific storage needs. Warmer climates call for more shade. Copyright 2023. 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. 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. They bloomed in 2019 no fragrance detected. Summersweet tolerates clay soil and full shade. Summersweet is tolerant of a range of garden conditions including shade . Get the latest how-to and design inspiration articles plus special offers sent straight to your inbox. 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. May be pruned after blooming if required. 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. Find out where you fall in the USDA Hardiness Zones database. Because clethra bloom on new growth, prune during winter or early spring to avoid removing developing flower buds. 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. 2023 Proven Winners North America LLC. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during the first growing season. Use in a mixed border with other spring- and summer-blooming shrubs that like moist soils, such as. We'll see how the plants perform Spring and Summer before making a final decision on the plants. I admire it daily as I walk past it and it feels like it is different every day. I see them struggle the most in full sun, compacted clay and heat- and drought-prone spots. Such dieback in winter means the loss of some of the flower buds that produce blooms in spring. Will grow in shade, but flowering and fall color improves when the plant gets at least some sun each day. 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). Eventually, the leaves turn yellow and die. Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. A good choice for smaller gardens and tight spaces. "Take time to smell the flowers" doesn't have to be just a clich. Cookies, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' (Summersweet), Clethra alnifolia 'Caleb' VANILLA SPICE' (Summersweet), Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' (Solomon's Seal), Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Hakone Grass), Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton' (Baneberry), Great Shrubs with Brilliant Fall Color for New England Gardens, Best Shrubs as Companion Plants for Azaleas and Rhododendrons, Want Garden Inspiration? Get complete site access to expert advice, regional content, and more, plus the print magazine. However, it might develop flea beetles or leaf spot. Available in better garden centers in spring 2019. After the bloom, the flowers leave small, dark brown seed capsule fruits that look like peppercorns. Feed these plants each spring with a balanced granular fertilizer mixed into the soil. Bears exceptionally large, pure white flowers almost a foot in length, nearly twice the size of other varieties. I am disappointed in the lack of scent, especially given its name, so for this alone I would rate the shrub as 3 stars. In fall, the leaves turn an attractive yellow. Features fragrant, tiny white flowers borne in cylindrical, drooping racemes (3-6" long) which cover the shrub . Hummingbird Summersweet - Monrovia PropagationTake greenwood cuttings in early summer. Sweetspire's dagger-like leaves will change from green to red and orange as they turn. Summersweet, or Clethra alnifolia, is a shrub that can tolerate areas of standing water and still thrive. Clay and wet soil tolerant. Clethra alnifolia--Summersweet, Sweet Pepperbush | Old House Web Height 2.5-3 Feet Tall. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. Native from southern New Jersey down to Florida, it is winter hardy to Zone 5 . 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. 25 Shrubs That Like Wet Soil and Full Sun - Traditional Gardening En cliquant sur Accepter , j'accepte l'utilisation des cookies telle qu'elle est dcrite plus en dtail dans la Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. But OH MY WORD! I am adding an iron product to the soil and hope that it improves the health of the plants. I want to be able to see over the plants if I want to sit out on my patio. What plants are similar to Virginia Sweetspire? Flea beetles can be handled with neem oil, while leaf spot is remedied through neem oil, baking soda solutions, copper fungicide, or copper and pyrethrins. 10 Shrubs That Smell as Good as They Look - My Garden Life Growing Zones: 5-9 Proven Winners. Typically grows 3-4' (less frequently to 5') tall with a similar spread. As colorful as burning bush, but native to North America and pollinator friendly! Little Henry Dwarf Virginia Sweetspire - Monrovia Note this is the default cart. In a partial shade spot, another clethra does not flower nearly as well. So far, the plant is doing very well. Its small size makes it perfect for smaller borders and beds. Being a water-loving plant, it works well at the edges of ponds, streams, and marshy areas. To get your plant off to a good start, work some organic matter into the soil and cover the root zone with a layer of mulch to help keep the soil cool and moist. The flowers give way to spikes of dark brown fruits which persist into winter, providing continuing interest. Itea virginica, commonly called Virginia sweetspire, is an erect, rounded, broad-spreading, deciduous shrub with arching branches. Sixteen Candles sweet pepperbush, or summersweet, is a newer cultivar of a popular native shrub. 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. Flowers give way to dark brown seed capsules (1/8" diameter) which may persist into winter. If desired, fertilize in spring with a granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs, like a rose fertilizer. In June and July, sweetspire bears lovely spikes of fragrant, white blossoms. Red and Black Chokeberry. Not fussy about soil pH. Find locations near you that offer Proven Winners products. Work in a bit of pelleted sulfur or organic matter, such as sawdust or leaves. In part-shade conditions of less than 6 hours daily, the plant will grow less . Plant Scentlandia itea near a window or outdoor area where you can enjoy its fragrance. Best all around shrub in my opinion. Sugartina 'Crystalina' Summersweet | Plant Addicts As another review said, I purchased this for the fall interest and for the lovely smell that it is supposed to possess. 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. Its mounded, compact stature makes it an improvement over older varieties such as the old favorite 'Henry's Garnet'. Thanks. 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. Here is a link that might be useful: Little Henry in fall. It prefers a slightly acidic pH but grows well in a range of soils. I purchased 6 of these and absolutely love them. 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. In fall, the leaves turn an attractive yellow. Once the roots are in place, you can move it out to the landscape. Vanilla Spice Buy now from Proven Winners. A profusion of fragrant white flower spikes attract butterflies. Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is one garden plant that truly lives up to its name, producing an abundance of sweetly scented flowers during the waning days of summer, when few other shrubs are in bloom. Tolerates clay soils. When planted right and in the right spot, Clethra, also called summersweet or sweet pepperbush, are very easy to grow. Get the latest how-to and design inspiration articles plus special offers sent straight to your inbox. Gorgeous little plant. Join now and start creating your dream garden! This compact selection reaches 3 to 5 feet tall. . Pollinators liked them. Sign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips. This compact Sweetspire starts out the summer with a beautiful display of fragrant white flowers that blanket the shrub. Virginia sweetspire is a deciduous shrub with arching stems and alternate simple leaves that are oval in shape and dark green in color. 'Sixteen Candles' sweet pepperbush - FineGardening Their vibrant color will create a pop of color in your border until those first frosts settle in. I never pruned them at any point. Plant dwarf summersweet cultivars in smaller garden beds to add structural interest and late-summer blooms. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. I plan to buy at least three more. 20 Fragrant Flowering Plants Once spring comes, you can rake it away. Deleting this collection CANNOT be undone. Cover with a thin layer of sand, then keep them in low light under plastic. Garden Uses: Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), also called summersweet, is a Maryland native plant found in forested wetlands, floodplains, and swamps. Mary has been a Master Gardener for 30+ years and a commercial and residential gardener for 50+ years. Given ideal conditions, this plant can survive for up to 40 years. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. of the member-only content library. That way you get blooms and fragrance at different points of the summer, and the great fall foliage of the sweetspire. Summersweet tolerates clay soil and full shade. In such climates, plant it along woodland edges where it gets partial shade, which will help the plants stay cool and thrive. . So if you'd rather have the fragrant blooms of clethra in the summer (patio season? 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Stay ahead of any root-suckering that may occur if you do not wish for the bushes to spread. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Accept These may survive into winter in some climates. Virginia sweetspire grows best full sun but will tolerate part shade. The shrub grows best in partial shade and a moist, slightly acid soil. I have 9 Scentlandia. Choose Options. Size. Its yellow fall color extends the season of interest. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Prune as needed to maintain the desired shape and remove dead, diseased, and damaged branches. They will also do well in full sun as long as you keep the soil moist. The runners arent extremely aggressive. Then, fall. If I had more room in the garden I'd definitely buy more. They will thrive in coastal areas as well because of their resistance to salt spray and brackish water. Not sure which Clethra to pick?Compare All Clethra, Buy Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' (Summersweet). Vanessa Richins Myers has a BS in horticulture and over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener. Full sun exposure will produce more vibrant fall color. The blooms are raceme flowers, 2- to 6-inches long, that may be white, pink, or rose-colored and have a sweet fragrance. Mature stems have scaly, dark gray to brown black bark. Sweet Pepperbush: A Fragrant Native Shrub - UMD 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! Noteworthy Characteristics. The leaves have been getting black spots, and now my tree-care company told me they noticed scale insects. I find the fragrance of the Clethra more dramatic but find the fall foliage of 'Little Henry' one of the best fall foliage plants. It enjoys, Promptly remove root suckers unless a naturalized look is desired. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. For a much larger shrub, go with Hollyleaf Sweetspire which can grow up to 12 feet high. Nice plant for an area you want to be filled in away from the house where deer are not a problem. PropagationSow seed at 43 to 54F in spring or autumn. Scentlandia - Sweetspire - Itea virginica | Proven Winners I have a grouping of Little Henry Sweetspire right near my patio and love it.
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