Virginia Sweetspire is a popular native shrub that provides fragrant white flowers in spring and early summer. It thrives in moist conditions and is well-suited for wetland gardens, rain gardens, and other areas that receive consistent moisture. Its arching branches and showy flower spikes add beauty and texture to the landscape while supporting pollinators. It also provides erosion control in wet areas and is deer-resistant, making it a low-maintenance choice for native plant gardens.
General Information
Status in Florida: Native
Native Habitat: Wetlands, stream banks, and moist woodlands
Native States: Southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas
Growing Zones: 5-9
Size at Maturity: 3-5 feet tall, 3-5 feet wide
Phenology: Deciduous
Life Cycle: Deciduous shrub
Growth Rate: Moderate
Growth Habit: Upright, arching, mounding
Bloom Season: Spring to early summer
Bloom Color: White, fragrant flowers
Growth Conditions
Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Texture: Moist, well-drained soils, prefers slightly acidic soil
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Moisture Requirements: Moist to wet soils, tolerates periodic flooding
Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low
Keystone Plant: No
Landscape Considerations
Recommended Landscape Uses: Rain gardens, wetland gardens, foundation plantings, hedgerows, native landscapes
Maintenance Tips: Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and remove dead wood
Considerations: Best suited for areas with consistent moisture and full sun to part shade
Hurricane Wind Resistant: Yes
Erosion Control: Yes
Nitrogen Fixing: No
Other Information
Edible: No
Pet Safe: Yes
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Yes
Historical Medicinal Uses: Historically used for its astringent properties, but not commonly used in modern medicine
Florida Native Companion Plant: Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Blueflag Iris (Iris versicolor), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Wildlife Benefit: Attracts pollinators, including bees and butterflies
Caterpillar Host Plant: Yes
Propagation: Seed, softwood cuttings, layering
