This shrub is the rare type that divides easily by cutting its root ball into sections, thanks to its prolific suckering habit. 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. PropagationTake greenwood cuttings in early summer. Water regularly as needed so the soil does not dry out. May be pruned after blooming if required. Sunlight is also a requirement, as these shrubs need full sun as well as slightly acidic soil to achieve the best results. More about the newsletter. Good flowering shrub for shade or woodland gardens. On this page: Basics | Planting | Care | Summersweet Varieties | Landscaping Ideas, Typically 3 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, with the exception of dwarf varieties, Mid to late summer, with the blooms lasting 4 to 6 weeks, Glossy, dark green, and oval-shaped, with serrated margins. It prefers acidic, sandy soil that is moist but will tolerate clay soils, as long as they're amended with organic material, and full shade. These shrubs are native to the eastern regions of the United States, where they can be found in woods and thickets, often in swampy areas and along streams. This plant is quite hardy and doesn't have any serious pests to contend with. Spread 2-3 Feet Wide. One of the largest summersweet cultivars, featuring rose-colored buds that gradually soften to pale pink as the flowers open and mature. I planted two of the LIttle Henry shrubs in a western exposure that gets afternoon sun and heat. This shrub is easy to grow in any average, well-drained soil that has medium to wet moisture levels. Summersweet tolerates clay soil and full shade. 'Sixteen Candles' sweet pepperbush, or summersweet, is a newer cultivar of a popular native shrub. Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. It is a tough, dependable plant with three-season interest, especially in shady, wet sites. Burning Bush is a plant quite similar to this one, though it is more susceptible to disease and pests. * Required | We will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Full shade is tolerated. In a partial shade spot, another clethra does not flower nearly as well. 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. I've seen some new growth in the month or so since planted. Summersweet tolerates clay soil and full shade. Garden Uses: Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), also called summersweet, is a Maryland native plant found in forested wetlands, floodplains, and swamps. Summersweet prefers moist soil and even grows well in areas with standing water. We'll see if they make it. 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. Summersweet can tolerate salty air and even salt spray from nearby streets in urban areas.
How to Take Care of Ruby Spice Summersweet - Home Guides Some varieties are shorter than average for the species. Bears exceptionally large, pure white flowers almost a foot in length, nearly twice the size of other varieties. Was delivered healthy and packaged very well. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Attracts butterflies. Find locations near you that offer Proven Winners products. To jumpstart growth, feed in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer or an all-purpose organic plant food. It enjoys, Promptly remove root suckers unless a naturalized look is desired. Propagation Take greenwood cuttings in early summer. I planted this spring. of the member-only content library. The species gets tall and rangy, so it is worth seeking out the cultivar . Height 2.5-3 Feet Tall. All Rights Reserved. What is not to love??? Compact habit is excellent for small gardens. Definitely loved by the deer and it colonizes out of control. The plant tolerates wetness but on poor sites is thin and straggly. Its small stature makes it a nice choice for adding color and scent to perennial gardens. Find locations near you that offer Proven Winners products. Note this is the default cart. Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm). 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.
Itea virginica Little Henry (Virginia Sweetspire) - Gardenia.net Use clean garden shears to cut 3- to 4-inch cuttings, taken in the morning, from well-established healthy plants. I'm in zone 5, mid Missouri. I've bought 2 more to put a nice arc around my
Scentlandia sweetspire delivers on all three! To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. Perfectly suited for covering large banks, beds and borders. 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. This plant is best grown in full sun to part shade in average, medium to wet, acidic, sandy soils. A good choice for smaller gardens and tight spaces.
Top 20 Native Shrubs for Sun and Shade - Smithsonian Gardens This compact selection reaches 3 to 5 feet tall. Does anybody grow Moonlight in paris or tamora rose? It prefers a slightly acidic pH but grows well in a range of soils. I have clethra in sun here in Georgia and it does fine and flowers heavily. The shrub has a rounded habit and produces cylindrical drooping flowers (racemes) from late spring to mid-summer. Stay ahead of any root-suckering that may occur if you do not wish for the bushes to spread. Softwood stem cuttings, taken in early summer, are the best way to propagate summersweet. Summersweet. I am disappointed in the lack of scent, especially given its name, so for this alone I would rate the shrub as 3 stars. The plant belongs to one of only two genera in the Clethraceae (white alder) family, with Purdiaea being the other genus. Here's what a colony of Virginia sweetspires should look like when not attacked by fungus or bugs. 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. As bboy says, there are dwarf choices for each. Eventually, the leaves turn yellow and die. 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). Sixteen Candles sweet pepperbush, or summersweet, is a newer cultivar of a popular native shrub. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. The spires came and went and absolutely no smell at all. Virginia sweetspire grows quite well in very hot conditions, provided it gets plenty of water. 'Sixteen Candles' is a compact rounded shrub growing slowly to 4-5 feet high and 2-3 feet wide and is suitable for borders, screens or as a specimen plant. They will tolerate short periods of drought but perform best when they receive regular water. I admire it daily as I walk past it and it feels like it is different every day. Prune as needed to maintain the desired shape and remove dead, diseased, and damaged branches. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. I'd hate to give up on sweetspire because it's a pretty plant when it's healthy. A versatile shrub for shrub borders, open woodland gardens, foundations . 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. PropagationSow seed at 43 to 54F in spring or autumn. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Its mounded, compact stature makes it an improvement over older varieties such as the old favorite 'Henry's Garnet'. 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). Being a water-loving plant, it works well at the edges of ponds, streams, and marshy areas. Sign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips. All rights reserved (About Us). Consistent moisture in well-draining soil is a must. 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. Several popular cultivars of Virginia Sweetspire are available, including: You can prune Virginia sweetspire to shape it or control its size, but pruning is not otherwise necessary. 'Little Henry' might work. Then use a good potting medium and seed trays to germinate the plants indoors. Bury the seed one inch in the soil and keep it moist.
Itea virginica 'Sprich' LITTLE HENRY - Plant Finder They suggested cutting back at least the older, thicker stems to the ground. Place your shrub in the hole, gently spreading out the roots, and then backfill to ground level and water well. Houzz utilise des cookies et d'autres technologies de suivi similaires pour personnaliser mon exprience utilisateur, me proposer du contenu pertinent et amliorer ses produits et services. 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. About 4 to 6 feet apart, depending on the size at maturity and the intended use. Spider mites may be a concern in dry conditions. Fizzy Mizzy Sweetspire As low as $29.99 . Summersweet is tolerant of a range of garden conditions including shade . Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), a native shrub, provides landscape interest across the seasons.
How to Grow and Care for Summersweet - The Spruce Very disappointed and am hoping for the brilliant fall color it is supposed to have. The leaves have been getting black spots, and now my tree-care company told me they noticed scale insects. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. No serious insect or disease problems. 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). Additional feeding during the growing season is not necessary. As summer progresses shiny, disease-free foliage appears until fall when the foliage turns a stunning garnet-red. Hot climates call for more water. Wandering roots and stems can easily be chopped off and transplanted.
Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' (Summersweet) - Gardenia.net Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I'm printing it all off so I can refer to it.Tammy. I plan to buy at least three more. Plant near a patio to enjoy the fragrant late summer bloom. 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.
This summersweet is a sport of C. alnifolia Pink Spires. Stressed plants are more likely to run into bug and disease problems than "happy" ones in soils, sites and weather they prefer. As another review said, I purchased this for the fall interest and for the lovely smell that it is supposed to possess. Summersweet seeds are easy to plant and they germinate quickly; seeds can be harvested in autumn and have no specific storage needs. Clay and wet soil tolerant. Severe cases can kill the plant. It prefers moist soils and will tolerate wet conditions.
How To Plant, Fertilize, Prune & Water Clethra Summersweet Plants There's no need for cold stratification to germinate.
Scentlandia - Sweetspire - Itea virginica | Proven Winners Right now - the deer are enjoying browsing the plants every evening so I take it that they didn't read the plant description. However, it might develop flea beetles or leaf spot. And I'd also get rid of the surrounding mulch and bring in fresh mulch in case any scale eggs are lurking in last year's mulch. Mary has been a Master Gardener for 30+ years and a commercial and residential gardener for 50+ years.
Clethra - A Growing Guide for Summersweet Shrubs | Garden Design The blooms are raceme flowers, 2- to 6-inches long, that may be white, pink, or rose-colored and have a sweet fragrance. Looking forward to hopefully having blooms next year. Not sure which Clethra to pick?Compare All Clethra, Buy Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' (Summersweet). Spring 2020, bloomed nicely but still no scent detected, even up close. For a much larger shrub, go with Hollyleaf Sweetspire which can grow up to 12 feet high. You could also divide the plants if you'd like during the move. Noteworthy Characteristics. Root suckering will be most prevalent with shrubs planted in wet ground. 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. It produces fragrant drooping white flowers in early summer and turns deep red in the fall. Here is a link that might be useful: Little Henry in fall. Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author. Only plants will be removed from the collection. Water seedlings as needed, then plant when they're sturdy. Get planting advice, garden design tips and trends, monthly checklists for your area, product specials and more in our weekly newsletter. Itea virginica, commonly called Virginia sweetspire, is an erect, rounded, broad-spreading, deciduous shrub with arching branches. It is also wet site tolerant. I planted them in groups of 3 in 3 locations around my home. CareLike other summersweets, Sixteen Candles loves wet locations in partial shade but does fine in average garden soil in full sun. This results in a lack of chlorophyll, which in turn results in leaves that lose their color and fade. Compact size makes this an ideal flowering shrub for smaller gardens. 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 plant information, gardening solutions, design inspiration and more in our weekly newsletter. In fall, the leaves turn an attractive yellow. Red and Black Chokeberry. 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. Suggested Use: Hedge, Naturalize, Rain Garden, Tolerate: Heavy Shade, Erosion, Clay Soil, Wet Soil. The flowers give way to spikes of dark brown fruits which persist into winter, providing continuing interest. 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. No problems, no diseases, not fussy at all and both have grown to 3'x3' with plenty of flowers and great Fall color. Although these bushes are considered plants tolerant of wet groundand clay soils, they will nonetheless perform best in well-drained soils.
Problems With Itea Virginica | Home Guides | SF Gate Native to the woodlands of eastern North America, it is a good choice for woodland borders. Because clethra bloom on new growth, prune during winter or early spring to avoid removing developing flower buds. Virginia sweetspire is a deciduous shrub with arching stems and alternate simple leaves that are oval in shape and dark green in color. Such dieback in winter means the loss of some of the flower buds that produce blooms in spring. This shrub usually grows to 3 to 6 feet in height, but can be up to 8-feet tall.
Time to give up on the scraggly sweetspire plants? Gardening - pennlive bought five of them and the deer have said Thank You. Work in a bit of pelleted sulfur or organic matter, such as sawdust or leaves. Grow taller varieties as hedges or privacy screens or as a backdrop in a perennial garden. I can grab any that pop up a foot or so away and pull them up back toward the base and clip off. 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. 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.
Fantasy Brown Granite Coordinating Colors,
John Norwood Forged In Fire,
Articles S