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photo of Tim Wood

Meet the Breeder

Tim Wood
Grand Haven, MI, USA

SCENTLANDIA®

Sweetspire

Itea virginica

'SMNIVDFC'

PP#30,233; CBR#6650

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Compact Scentlandia Itea blooming in greenhouse "} Brilliant burgundy Scentlandia sweetspire in fall landscape Close up of long white blooms of Scentlandia Itea
  • Native to North America
  • Fragrant
  • Improved hardiness
Description

Fabulously fragrant. Sweetspire is beloved for so many reasons: it’s native, shade tolerant, deer resistant, has handsome foliage, amazing fall color, very showy flowers, and of course, delicious fragrance. So how could Scentlandia® sweetspire improve on the classic? Better hardiness, for one, so that even gardeners in the colder parts of its hardiness zone can enjoy the fragrance, year after year. It also boasts brighter, more consistent fall color, along with a compact, refined habit.

Awards
2019 Boskoop Royal Horticultural Society Silver Medal
USDA Zone
5 - 9 (-20°F/-28.9°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun, Shade
Height
2 - 3'
Width
2 - 3'
Finish Time
1 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Early summer
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

Soil

Itea thrives in moist to wet soils but is surprisingly tolerant of normal and dry conditions as well - especially once established. Adaptable to pH.

Pruning

Prune after flowering if desired; remove any dead wood in spring if necessary.

Uses

Mass plantings; wildlife and woodland gardens; specimen; mixed borders; landscaping. Dwarf habit makes it well-suited to use around the home.

Growing Tips

Though flowering and fall foliage color is best with at least some sun, itea is one of the most shade tolerant flowering shrubs. Though Scentlandia™ itea was selected for improved stem hardiness, some dieback can occur in cold climates - mulch and/or site in protected areas in zones 5 and 6.

  • Spec Sheet: Scentlandia® Itea Spec Sheet
  • Plant of the Week: Plant of the Week July 4, 2019
  • Benchcard: Scentlandia® Itea Benchcard
  • Tag: Scentlandia® Itea Tag
  • Grower Sheet: Scentlandia® Itea Grower Sheet

    • Features: Attracts pollinators, Dwarf, Compact, Fall interest, Fragrant, Native, Deer resistant, Clay soil, Drought tolerant, Alkaline soil

    Filters: Botanical genus: Itea, Common name: Sweetspire, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Exposure: Shade, Bloom time: Summer, White flowers, Green foliage

    Features: Attracts pollinators, Dwarf, Compact, Fall interest, Fragrant, Native, Deer resistant, Clay soil, Drought tolerant, Alkaline soil

    Filters: Botanical genus: Itea, Common name: Sweetspire, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Exposure: Shade, Bloom time: Summer, White flowers, Green foliage