Itea virginica
| Itea virginica | |
|---|---|
| |
| Flowering branch | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Iteaceae |
| Genus: | Itea |
| Species: | I. virginica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Itea virginica | |
Itea virginica, the Virginia sweetspire or Virginia willow, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iteaceae (formerly Saxifragaceae), native to the southern United States and particularly associated with Virginia.[1]
Description
Itea virginica is a deciduous shrub growing to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) tall and 1.5 m (4.9 ft) broad, with alternate, simple leaves on arching stems. The flowers are white or cream, borne in downward pointing slightly curved spikes, in summer. It is a multistemmed, suckering and colonizing plant, with the stems branching infrequently except at the tops. In favourable conditions it may become semi-evergreen. The leaves turn shades of red in fall (autumn). It is hardy down to at least −15 °C (5 °F).[2]
In cultivation in the UK the cultivar ‘Henry’s Garnet’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[3][4]
References
- ^ "Itea virginica". UCONN (University of Connecticut) Plant Database. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ Brickell, Christopher, ed. (2008). The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 582. ISBN 9781405332965.
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet'". Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 56. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
External links
- Proven Winners [1]
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