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Love Child Sweetspire (Itea virginica) is an exceptional cultivar known for its stunning display of fragrant flower spikes and compact growth habit. With Itea Love Child, you can expect a breathtaking array of white blooms in late spring, complemented by beautiful fall foliage that transforms your landscape into a vibrant spectacle.

Blooms: Itea Love Child produces graceful, fragrant spikes of white flowers that bloom from late spring into early summer. These elegant, tassel-like flowers attract a variety of pollinators, enriching your garden’s ecosystem. Their charming appearance adds a delightful touch that enhances the beauty of any garden setting.

Foliage: The evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage of Itea Love Child features glossy, dark green leaves that create a lush background for its breathtaking blooms. As autumn approaches, the leaves turn captivating shades of red, orange, and yellow, further enhancing the seasonal charm of your landscape.

Sunlight and Soil: Itea Love Child thrives in full sun to partial shade, offering versatility for different garden environments. It prefers well-drained, loamy soils that are rich in organic matter. While it can adapt to various soil conditions, maintaining good drainage is essential for optimal growth.

Watering: This cultivar has moderate watering needs. Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly during the establishment phase and during dry spells. Adding mulch around the base can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, supporting healthy growth.

Size: Itea Love Child is compact, typically reaching about 2-3 feet with a similar spread. Its mounded habit makes it suitable for smaller gardens, foundation plantings, or as part of a mixed border, providing floral interest without overwhelming the space.

Hardiness: This deciduous shrub is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, making it a resilient choice for a wide range of climates. Itea Love Child is known for its adaptability and ability to thrive in various conditions.

Pruning: To maintain its shape and encourage fuller growth, Itea Love Child can be lightly pruned in early spring. Removing any dead or damaged branches ensures a vigorous, healthy plant for the growing season.

Fertilizing: For optimal growth and flowering, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring. A fertilizer formulated for flowering shrubs works particularly well to support the plant’s development.

Landscape Uses: Itea Love Child is ideal for mass plantings, as a low hedge, or as an accent in mixed borders. Its beautiful flowers and striking fall foliage create a stunning aesthetic in any garden. This shrub pairs harmoniously with other perennials and shrubs, elevating the overall allure of your landscape.

Overall, Itea Love Child is a remarkable choice for garden enthusiasts seeking charm and elegance. With its fragrant flowers, vibrant autumn display, and ease of maintenance, this shrub is a delightful addition to enhance the beauty of any outdoor space.

First Editions

Itea Love Child 3 Gallon First Editions

Itea Love Child 3 Gallon First Editions

SKU:203110

54 in stock

Regular price $39.99
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $39.99
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1-2 Business Days

Within 60 miles

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Love Child Sweetspire (Itea virginica) is an exceptional cultivar known for its stunning display of fragrant flower spikes and compact growth habit. With Itea Love Child, you can expect a breathtaking array of white blooms in late spring, complemented by beautiful fall foliage that transforms your landscape into a vibrant spectacle.

Blooms: Itea Love Child produces graceful, fragrant spikes of white flowers that bloom from late spring into early summer. These elegant, tassel-like flowers attract a variety of pollinators, enriching your garden’s ecosystem. Their charming appearance adds a delightful touch that enhances the beauty of any garden setting.

Foliage: The evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage of Itea Love Child features glossy, dark green leaves that create a lush background for its breathtaking blooms. As autumn approaches, the leaves turn captivating shades of red, orange, and yellow, further enhancing the seasonal charm of your landscape.

Sunlight and Soil: Itea Love Child thrives in full sun to partial shade, offering versatility for different garden environments. It prefers well-drained, loamy soils that are rich in organic matter. While it can adapt to various soil conditions, maintaining good drainage is essential for optimal growth.

Watering: This cultivar has moderate watering needs. Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly during the establishment phase and during dry spells. Adding mulch around the base can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, supporting healthy growth.

Size: Itea Love Child is compact, typically reaching about 2-3 feet with a similar spread. Its mounded habit makes it suitable for smaller gardens, foundation plantings, or as part of a mixed border, providing floral interest without overwhelming the space.

Hardiness: This deciduous shrub is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, making it a resilient choice for a wide range of climates. Itea Love Child is known for its adaptability and ability to thrive in various conditions.

Pruning: To maintain its shape and encourage fuller growth, Itea Love Child can be lightly pruned in early spring. Removing any dead or damaged branches ensures a vigorous, healthy plant for the growing season.

Fertilizing: For optimal growth and flowering, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring. A fertilizer formulated for flowering shrubs works particularly well to support the plant’s development.

Landscape Uses: Itea Love Child is ideal for mass plantings, as a low hedge, or as an accent in mixed borders. Its beautiful flowers and striking fall foliage create a stunning aesthetic in any garden. This shrub pairs harmoniously with other perennials and shrubs, elevating the overall allure of your landscape.

Overall, Itea Love Child is a remarkable choice for garden enthusiasts seeking charm and elegance. With its fragrant flowers, vibrant autumn display, and ease of maintenance, this shrub is a delightful addition to enhance the beauty of any outdoor space.

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Specifications

Bloom season
  • Spring
  • Summer
Botanical name
  • Itea virginica 'Little Henry'
Color
  • White
Features
  • Low Maintenance
  • Deciduous
  • Attracts Pollinators
  • Fragrant
  • Deer Resistant
Light requirements
  • Full Sun
  • Part Sun
Mature height
    2 - 3 ft
Mature width
    2 - 3 ft
Size
  • 3 gallon

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