Itea virginica 'Merlot' ~ Short N' Sweet™ Merlot Sweetspire

Itea virginica 'Merlot' ~ Short N' Sweet™ Merlot SweetspireShort N Sweet Sweetspire is a densely compact deciduous shrub that has long lasting fall color. The shiny oval green leaves turn wine red in fall and hold until early winter before being dropped. The tiny fragrant white flowers that blanket the shrub bloom on drooping cylindrical racemes in spring. Best fall color in full sun and rich moist well drained soils. Itea virginica is a host plant for the American Holly Azure butterfly if in the coastal

Short N’ Sweet Sweetspire is a densely compact deciduous shrub that has long-lasting fall color.  The shiny oval green leaves turn wine-red in fall and hold until early winter before being dropped.  The tiny fragrant white flowers that blanket the shrub bloom on drooping cylindrical racemes in spring.  Best fall color in full sun and rich moist well-drained soils.

Itea virginica is a host plant for the American Holly Azure butterfly if in the coastal plains, otherwise it acts as a food source for various bees and butterflies.  Birds may eat the seeds.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  Low Maintenance.  Water regularly, then occasionally once established. No serious pests or diseases.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Naturalized Areas,  Ponds and Streams, Foundational Plantings, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Lilac, Weigela, Spirea

Image: Photo by David J. Stang, Itea virginica Merlot 3zz, CC BY-SA 4.0