Itea virginica ‘Morton’ #3 (Scarlet Beauty™ Virginia Sweetspire)

Scarlet Beauty™ is a cultivated variety of the southeastern US native Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica). This selection has an upright, rounded habit with brilliant scarlet fall color that often lasts into December. It is more compact and cold hardy than the straight species, as well having a greater tolerance to the alkaline soils common to the Midwest. It has lustrous, deep green leaves during the spring and summer on long, arching stems. Blooming occurs in mid-June and lasts 3-4 weeks. The white, 3″ long racemes are bursting with sweet fragrance that attracts a plethora of pollinators, especially butterflies!

This shrub has many ornamental qualities, but also offers utility in the landscape. It excels at stabilizing banks and erosion control in wet and poorly drained areas or shady locations. While the straight species is most commonly found in wet, acidic or shady conditions, this plant is impressively adaptable under cultivation. It is a suckering shrub that looks best planted in groups where it is allowed to spread, or in a hedge or mixed border. It can be pruned (just after flowering to avoid cutting off the next year’s buds) to maintain size, shape and general tidiness. A mature mass of Scarlet Beauty™ develops a delightfully wild and attractive thicket that provides choice nesting habitat to birds and gorgeous fall color that offers a long season of interest.

Sources:
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr
Chicagoland Grows Plant Introduction Program
The Morton Arboretum