Product Details
'Henry's Garnet' bears fragrant white flowers in summer and turns a showstopping scarlet to crimson in autumn. An excellent addition to the shrub border, it can also be planted along foundations or in groups, where their striking fall foliage can create a fiery season finale.
The genus Itea has ten species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs, the hardiest and most useful of which is our low-growing native with a rounded form and a suckering habit, Itea virginica. It throws racemes of sweetly scented white flowers in early summer and follows up with a brilliant display of red fall color. Although found in moist, even soggy, soils in the wild, it is quite drought tolerant in cultivation; the only thing it can't abide is highly alkaline soil.
Shipping
HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED
The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.
WHEN WE SHIP
We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.
OUR GUARANTEE
We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.
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Growing guide
Latin Name Pronunciation: it'-ee-ah
This popular shrub, known for its fragrant flowers, is found in woodlands and along stream banks growing in the wild. It is one of the easiest shrubs to grow, tolerating a range of conditions and requiring little pruning, and is a great plant for massing on banks or in borders. May be semi-evergreen in Zones 8 and 9.
Light/Watering: Sweetspire can be grown in full sun or partial shade, although fall foliage color is most intense on plants grown in full sun and sited where leaves are illuminated by side or back light. Prefers average to wet soil, yet surprisingly tolerant of drought once established.
Bareroot Trees and Shrubs
On arrival: Your bareroot tree or shrub has been stored in a temperature-controlled cooler, which simulates winter and keeps the plant dormant. Dormant plants are unaffected by cold weather and can be planted as soon as you are able to dig a hole in the ground. If you cannot plant immediately, your tree or shrub may be stored upright in its wrapping material in a cool, dark place such as a basement, garage, or unheated shed, for a week or so. Keep it away from direct sun.
PLANTING A BAREROOT TREE OR SHRUB: Select a spot in your garden that is sheltered from strong winds. When you’re ready to plant, unwrap your plant and remove the packing material.
- Soak the roots of your tree or shrub in a container of water for a couple hours to rehydrate them.
- Dig a hole wider than the spread of the roots and deep enough to accommodate them, allowing for adjustments.
- Use excavated soil to form a mound in the center of the hole.
- Set the plant on top of the mound, fanning its roots outward. Adjust the height of the mound by adding or removing soil until the plant is positioned so that the crown (where the roots meet the stem) is at the surrounding soil level. Roots should all be below grade when the hole is filled.
- Check from all sides to make sure that the trunk is perfectly upright, not leaning in any direction.
- Backfill the hole with soil about halfway and water well, allowing water to soak in and settle the soil. Re-check for upright trunk alignment. Then add remaining soil to the top of the hole, creating a little dam around the outer edge, and water again.
- It is best to stake a young tree for extra support until its trunk attains sturdy proportions. Choose a stake that has a diameter at least as large as the stem’s diameter and long enough that when pushed firmly into the soil, it reaches inside the branches of the tree. Fasten the trunk to the stake at several points with garden twine or soft ties, allowing for some movement. Check the ties periodically and loosen them if they constrict the outward growth of the stem or dig into the bark.
ESTABLISHING A BAREROOT TREE OR SHRUB:
- Do not fertilize when planting or for the first growing season.
- Because a bareroot plant is dormant, it cannot take up much water. Refrain from watering after the initial planting until your tree or shrub leafs out and begins actively growing, unless you are experiencing extreme drought conditions.
- Minimal pruning is needed until one or two growing seasons have passed, although any suckers or growth that sprouts from the trunk or rootstock should be promptly removed.
- Once the plant has broken dormancy and is actively growing, care for it as described (except for fertilizer recommendations, although compost and mulch are recommended).
Fertilizer/Soil and pH: Sweetspire is very adaptable but will thrive in moist, fertile soil.
Pests/Diseases: Seldom has disease or pest problems.
