Virginian Willow Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet'

'Henry's Garnet', an attractive shrub with showy fragrant flowers and fall leaf coloring, is a cultivar of Virginia sweetspire from the sweetspire family (Iteaceae). 

'Henry's Garnet' prefers full sun to partial shade, but it can also grow in shade. While adaptable to shade, best flowering and fall coloring occur with four or more hours of sun per day. It does well in moist, slightly acidic medium to well-drained soil but tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. It can form dense colonies by root suckering; thus, it can be used for erosion control in wet areas or on wet banks but can also be problematic if left unchecked. This plant blooms on previous season's wood, so pruning should be done after flowering.

This attractive pollinator-friendly shrub with its showy fragrant flowers and orange/ burgundy red fall leaf color was designated a Plant of Merit of the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2000. 'Henry's Garnet' has larger flowers and better fall color than the wild-type species. It blooms from April through June with its prominent fall colors lasting until winter. It serves as a food source and natural cover to small wildlife. It can be used in wet areas since it does not mind wet soil as long as the soil is well-drained. Over-fertilization should be avoided. 

This versatile plant can be used in many places in the garden, around ponds, in naturalized areas and rain gardens.  It serves well as a foundation plant, in borders, in mass plantings in woodland and naturalized areas. It grows well along rivers and ponds and can be a welcome addition to any winter garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Resistant to phytophthora root rot. 

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