Itea virginica 'HENRY'S GARNET'

Itea is a small genus of about 10 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs or trees from East Asia and eastern North America. Sweetspire or Virginia willow is an American species native to the sparse woodlands and swamps of Virgina, USA. It is cultivated for its fragrant flowers and fantastic autumn foliage colours.

Henry’s Garnet is a valued variety of sweetspire that received AGM (Award of Garden Merit) from the English Royal Horticultural Society. It is a selection with exceptional autumn colour and was first noticed by the American botanist Michael Dirr when he found it growing in the gardens of the University of Swarthmore in Pennsylvania, USA. He learned that the seedlings had been donated by Josephine Henry who had brought them from Georgia. In honour of her contribution and to recognize the university, too, he named the variety Henry's Garnet, because garnet is not only the color of its autumn leaves but also one of the two university colours.

In spring emerge bright green, oblong-elliptic, 5-10 cm long, finely serrated leaves which in late summer turn bronze and later take on vibrant shades of crimson and garnet just like the younger twigs. In warmer zones, it is considered semi-deciduous, not in C.E. climate, but the leaves persist exceptionally long – almost like sweetgum leaves, i.e. often until the first deep frosts of early winter. In June and July appear 8-15 cm long, arching racemes composed of creamy white, strongly scented flowers which smell like sweet vanilla and honey.

Sweetspire does not grow fast and naturally forms upright shrubs. Since the flowers are formed on the previous year’s growths, if necessary, prune it immediately after flowering. But apart from rejuvenating older plants, it is usually not necessary, the plant keeps a nice habit on its own. Although shrubs over 2 meters high have been recorded, usual size in gardens ranges from 1 to 1.5 meters.

It is easy to grow. Provide preferably acidic to neutral soil and moist conditions, mulching is recommended. It can take temporary flooding but cannot grow in standing water all season long. On the contrary, in dry soil its twigs tend to dry out, the shrub gets thinner, doesn’t bloom much (or at all), and grows poorly. It does not require any care or fertilization and is hardy to approx. -29 °C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 24-11-2021