Itea virginica L.

Virginia Sweetspire; Virginia Willow; Tassel White

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Virginia Willow is a native shrub in the Sweet Spire family (Iteaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Virginia Willow grows on the banks of streams and rivers, around ponds and lakes, in seeps, in low hardwood forests, and in swamps. It is a clonal woody shrub forming clumps along underground runners. It grows between 3-9 feet in height, with stems that are erect or arching. The bark is smooth and reddish brown in color. Leaves are alternate, simple, and have short petioles. Leaves are oblong to oblanceolate in outline, pubescent, and with minutely serrate margins. The leaves are tardily deciduous and become bright red or orange before falling. Leaves often remain on the shrubs until December or later. Fragrant flowers are produced in arching racemes terminating the branches of the current season’s growth. Individual flowers have five white, linear petals. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule with a persistent style. Virginia Willow is often available in the nursery trade. Although Virginia Willow is a wetland plant in nature, it adapts well to drier soils in cultivation. Virginia Willow can be used in a shrub border, in a woodland garden, along streams or ponds, and in poorly draining sites. Although it will grow in deep shade, best flowering and form is seen in plants growing in full or partial sun. Several horticultural selections are available including “Henry's Garnet” which has larger flowers and better fall color than the species, “Little Henry” which is a dwarf form growing only 1-3 feet in height, and “Merlot” which has a compact growth form and burgundy fall foliage.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW+ (NWPL)

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