Itea Bush Tips On Growing Itea Sweetspire

Locate the Itea shrub in moist to wet soils in a part shade to full sun area for fragrant racemes of 4-inch (10 cm.) blooms in May. The moderately growing Itea plant takes an erect form with arching branches. Although it is one of few shrubs that live in wet soil, the Itea bush is also drought tolerant.

How do you care for Little Henry sweetspire?

It prefers moist soils and will tolerate wet conditions. It will grow in full sun to full shade, and requires little pruning or other maintenance. Little Henry has lightly scented, pure white flowers that shoot like fireworks in the early summer horizon.

How do you trim a little Henry sweetspire?

If needed, prune these early summer flowering shrubs soon after they have bloomed. Prune the plant to improve the shape and reduce its size but, be careful not to remove more than 30% of the top growth.

How do you grow Sweetspire?

Itea can be grown in full sun or shade. That said, a minimum of 4 to 5 hours of sunlight is recommended for best foliage density and flowering. Start by digging your planting hole at least two to three times as wide and no deeper than the rootball of your Itea shrub. The wider the hole the better.

When should I plant Sweetspire?

In shade, Virginia sweetspire may grow taller and leggier and will not flower as prolifically, nor will its fall foliage colors be as vivid. Virginia sweetspire is easy to propagate. Stem cuttings, taken between May and September, root in about four weeks. Autumn is the best time to start a new plant by root division.

Is Sweetspire toxic to dogs?

Two safe bets are Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire) and Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea). Both of these blooming shrubs are hardy varieties that are not poisonous to dogs and can survive in many environments.

When should I trim my Itea?

You can prune Virginia sweetspire to shape it or control its size, but pruning is not otherwise necessary. 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.

Is Little Henry sweetspire deer resistant?

The unique fragrant blooms appear early in the summer with its foliage changing from green to oranges and reds in the fall. It can tolerate a variety of conditions and is deer resistant. This North American native is drought tolerant and brings pollinators to your landscape!

Is Little Henry sweetspire Evergreen?

Virginia Sweetpsire is a North American native shrub that definitely put the V in versatile. In early summer it produces cascading, white racemes of lightly fragrant blooms, its fall foliage is outstanding and, where winters are mild, it is semi-evergreen.

How big does Sweetspire get?

Sweetspire usually grows three to five feet tall, although it may be taller and leggier in moist or shaded areas. Plants have a denser, more attractive habit when grown in sunnier sites. The form is typically arching and spreading. Plants spread readily by suckering, especially in moist sites.

How do you propagate Itea?

Fill a plastic bag with powdered rooting hormone and dip the woody bottom end of the stem in the rooting hormone. Insert the stem into the growing medium at a depth of 3 to 4 inches. Mist the leaves of the stem cutting twice a day to prevent it from drying out before it establishes new roots.

Is Sweetspire deciduous?

Itea virginica, commonly called Virginia sweetspire, is an erect, rounded, broad-spreading, deciduous shrub with arching branches. ... Features fragrant, tiny white flowers borne in cylindrical, drooping racemes (3-6" long) which cover the shrub with bloom in late spring to early summer.

Is Hummingbird Summersweet deer resistant?

Clethra alnifolia is rarely bothered by deer! Mass in mixed shrub borders for dramatic summer blooms. Great flowering shrub for shade or woodland gardens or along stream banks or ponds. May be naturalized in cottage gardens, wild gardens or naturalized areas.

Is Itea virginica deer resistant?

Itea General Information

Deer resistant. Grows in full sun to deep shade. Attractive to butterflies.

Is there a plant called Henry?

Below is a description of the original 'Henry'.... Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Henry Eilers' is a sweet coneflower cultivar that grows on stiff, upright, leafy stems. ... The foliage is dark gray-green in basal clumps with smaller unlobed stem leaves which have a mild sweet aroma.

Is Itea native?

Itea is a genus of about 10 species of shrubs and small trees, commonly called sweetspires. The leaves are alternate. Flowers are small, with 5 sepals and 5 petals, borne in racemes or spikes. The genus is native to eastern Asia, with one deciduous species from eastern North America.

Can Wisteria kill a dog?

Are Wisteria Vines Toxic Or Poisonous To Dogs? While there are many plants that can be mildly toxic to dogs and other pets, the seeds and pods of Wisteria can be extremely toxic to dogs when consumed.

What plants are harmful to dogs?

The 16 Most Common Poisonous Plants for Dogs

#1 Sago Palm. These ornamental palms are popular in warmer climates and every part of it is toxic to dogs. ...
#2 Tomato Plant. With summer comes tomato plants in the garden. ...
#3 Aloe Vera. ...
#4 Ivy. ...
#5 Amaryllis. ...
#6 Gladiola. ...
#7 American Holly. ...
#8 Daffodil.

What part of geranium is toxic to dogs?

The other toxic component, linalool, is a terpene chemical that can cause eczema and allergic reactions. Both these chemicals are only found in low levels in geraniums, however ingestion of any part of the plant can cause vomiting, reduced appetite, and depression in dogs.

How do you prune Itea Ilicifolia?

Action: For climbers 'spur prune' by cutting back 3-4 buds of the permanent framework. For wall trained shrubs cut back flowered shoots to within 2-4 buds of permanent framework. When: Annually after flowers if on previous year's growth, or in late Winter or Spring if on current year's growth.

What does prune after flowering mean?

Rule Number Two: Prune Spring Flowering Shrubs After Flowering. ... The buds over-winter on the previous year's growth and open in spring. If you prune these spring bloomers in fall or winter you'll remove the flower buds and won't have flowers that year. The plants will be ok, but you'll miss a year of blooms.

How do you prune a Buttonbush?

Rejuvenate struggling old buttonbush shrubs with severe pruning. With limb loppers or a pruning saw cut the button bush back to within 6 inches of ground level. Prune in early spring before buds open to encourage a quick resurgence of new growth. Buttonbush provides important forage for many native species.