Itea virginica ‘Merlot’
'Merlot' is a compact cultivar of Itea virginica or sweetspire with fragrant white flowers in summer and great fall colour and red winter stems.
Itea virginica or Virginia sweetspire is a little-known shrub that is well worth growing. Its upright stems are clothed in nice mid green leaves and, in summer, descending spikes of white, sweetly fragrant flowers popular with butterflies and beneficial insects. In fall the leaves turn brilliant shades of wine red and crimson and the stems turn to red for the winter. ‘Merlot’ is a compact cultivar growing to 3-4 feet tall and wide with great fall colour. A nice shrub for the mixed border or use as a hedge. Tolerant of wet and clay soils.
Common Name: Virginia Sweetspire
Family: Iteaceae (The Sweetspire Family)
Zone Hardiness: 5-9
Light: Full Sun Part Sun
Height: 2-4'
Width: 3-5'
Primary Bloom Colour: White/Cream
Secondary Bloom Colour:
Class: Deciduous
Type: Shrub
Bloom Time: Summer
Soil Moisture: Average, Moist, Wet
Stem Colour: Red
Fragrance: Yes
Berries:
Benefits: Butterflies
Deer Resistant: Yes
BC Native: No
Native Habitat: Swamps, wet woods, stream banks, and beaver ponds at low elevations in the eastern US.
Award:
Geographical Origin:
