Many pollinator gardeners have learned that some popular ‘pollinator’ plants are really not that great for the habitat, such as butterfly bush (Buddleia). But what if we told you that there’s a fantastic native alternative with abundant nectar, fragrant, showy flowers, tolerance of many conditions, and brilliant fall color to boot?
Sweetspire (Itea virginica) is all of those things and more! This versatile native is blooming now, and as you can see, it’s a favorite with bees of all sizes, as well as many other pollinators. It’s suitable for a variety of locations, including poor or wet soil, and flowers best with at least 4 hours of sun.
And when the flowers fade, the show’s not over–brilliant fall color is just around the corner! With its bright red and orange foliage and rounded habit, sweetspire is a great alternative to the more common (and invasive) Japanese barberry.
The straight species can be hard to find, but cultivars such as ‘Henry’s Garnet’ (pictured) are much easier for the home gardener to find. At the SBG, you’ll find several in our Shrub Showcase.
