•Status in Florida: Native
•Size at Maturity: Typically grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, but can reach up to 10 feet under optimal conditions.
•Phenology: Deciduous shrub with arching branches, elliptical leaves, and fragrant white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer, often followed by red to purplish foliage in fall.
•Life Cycle: Perennial
•Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
•Deciduous, Dioecious, Evergreen: Deciduous
•Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
•Soil Texture: Moist, fertile soils; tolerant of clay, loam, or sandy soils
•Soil pH: Tolerant of a wide range, but prefers slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0)
•Moisture Requirements: Prefers consistently moist to wet soil, but can tolerate occasional periods of drought once established
•Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low tolerance
•Recommended Landscape Uses: Native plant gardens, woodland gardens, rain gardens, pond edges, naturalized areas
•Maintenance Tips: Low maintenance; prune as needed to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged branches; may benefit from occasional rejuvenation pruning
•Considerations: Virginia Willow/Sweetspire can spread by suckering and may form dense thickets if not managed.
•Deer and/or Rabbit Resistance: Moderately resistant; typically not preferred by deer or rabbits
•Edible: Not typically consumed
•Medicinal Uses: Not commonly used in herbal medicine
•Toxicity to Pets: Not known to be toxic to pets, but ingestion of large quantities of plant material may cause gastrointestinal upset.
•Florida Native Companion Plant: Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
•Wildlife Benefit: Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies; provides habitat and food for various insects and birds
•Caterpillar Host Plant: Virginia Willow/Sweetspire is a host plant for the caterpillars of various butterfly species, including the Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) and the Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax).