Itea virginica ‘Henry Garnet’

Plumleaf azalea bloom in July

Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) flowers in late spring with dark green, pest-free summer foliage that turns brilliant red in fall (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). It thrives in full sun to partial shade, and in moist mildly acidic soils. It is also highly drought tolerant once established. Fertilize with slow release fertilizer in early spring such as Osmocote or Nutrikote.

Virginia sweetspire grows 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, depending on the cultivar planted. Leaves turn ruby red in fall. Pruning is rarely needed except to remove unwanted suckers after flowering has finished. Recommended cultivars include: ‘Henry’s Garnet’ @ 5-6 feet, ‘Little Henry’ @ 4 – 5 feet; or ‘Merlot’ @ 3 – 3 ½ feet

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is a deciduous shrub native to wet areas, such as low spots, stream banks, ponds, etc . (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). This densely-branched, round canopy deciduous shrub typically grows to 3-8 feet high (depending on cultivar) and bears highly fragrant white (or pink) flower panicles in mid to late summer. Flowers give way to dark brown seed capsules in autumn and persist through winter. Dark green, obovate, 3-4 inch long leaves develop fall in color shades ranging from yellow to golden brown; fall hues are highly variable from one year to the next. Flowers attract abundant butterflies and bees.

Fertilize with slow release fertilizer in early spring. Summersweet is trouble-free with little disease and pest problems.  Roots tend to sucker and plants form small colonies. Leading cultivars are ‘Ruby Spice’@ rose-pink, 8 feet tall; ‘Hummingbird’ @ white, 3-4 feet tall; and ‘Sixteen Candles’ @ white, 4-5 feet tall.

Plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) is an Alabama/southwest Georgia native (USDA hardiness zones 5-9) that blooms in mid-late July. Bright orange-red flowers will light up any garden spot whether in full sun or partial shade.  A dark red flower form is available. Flowers are not fragrant but still attract numerous butterflies and bees.

It grows in average well-drained soil and asks for little nutrition. Irrigate during summer dry spells. It appears to be soil pH insensitive, but likely prefers an acidic range between 5.5 to 6.5. Plumleaf azalea grows 8-10 feet tall, but may be maintained to a 5-6 feet height and width. No diseases and insects pests trouble it. Pruning is rarely needed except for shaping the shrub.

Note: Cultivars of Virginia sweetspire and summersweet shrubs are readily available for sale. Plumleaf azaleas are rarely sold at local garden centers but you can purchase them from e-commerce nurseries on-line.