Plant Characteristics
- Zone: 5-9
- Height: 3' to 5'
- Spread: 5'
- Growth: medium to fast
- Form: broad/rounded/weeping
- Bloom: white racemes
- Soil: well-drained
Itea virginica is an understory shrub native to moist woods in
the southeast. It is an open upright shrub growing to about 7 feet tall.
It has bright green oblong leaves which turn a good red in the fall.
White, fragrant flowers are borne on upright, dense racemes (elongated
clusters) 2 to 6 inches long in early- to midsummer. The native species
is good enough to include in your garden. But, 'Henry's Garnet' is a truly
outstanding selection. The flower clusters are twice as long as the original
species, and they arch and cascade above the foliage beautifully.
Fall foliage turns deep burgundy. The colorful leaves seem to hold on
forever, too, sometimes persisting well into the winter.
Grow 'Henry's Garnet' in moist to average soil in full sun or light shade.
Expect a happy mature plant to be 6 feet tall and at least that wide.
This plant in flower or in fall color is a dazzler