Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Fountains of Rouge™ Virginia Sweetspire creates a natural focal point throughout the growing season. Fragrant white flowers grow in 4- to 6-inch long wands and give the plant a unique texture. Deep green foliage has a leathery texture and transforms to a dark, vivid red during the fall. The Itea virginica provides long-lasting fall color.
Feature this plant in a butterfly garden because the white blooms are a draw for pollinators. Leave the blooms in place, and birds will stop by to eat the seeds later in the growing season. Sweetspire thrives in beds, borders, or mass plantings. This adaptable plant can live in various conditions, from dry to damp. The Fountains of Rouge™ Virginia Sweetspire is native to North America, and once this shrub has had time to acclimate, it will thrive with little attention when grown in USDA zones 5 through 9.
Fountains of Rouge™ Virginia Sweetspire Care
Plant in moist but well-drained acidic soil. This shrub needs full sun to partial shade, although expect best results and richer foliage color when grown in full sun. New plants need one inch of water per week but, once established, are somewhat drought-tolerant. Plants grown in warm climates will need more frequent watering.
Apply a balanced fertilizer each spring to support flower and foliage production. Pruning is not generally necessary, but you can trim the plant to maintain the shape or size. This cultivar blooms on old wood, so prune as soon as the flowers fade to ensure abundant blooms next year.
Fountains of Rouge™ Virginia Sweetspire Spacing
The Fountains of Rouge™ Virginia Sweetspire is an upright plant that will grow 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. Create a continuous planting by spacing shrubs 2 to 4 feet apart.
Image Courtesy of Spring Meadow Nursery
Fountains of Rouge™ Virginia Sweetspire Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 3-5 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 4-5 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Late Spring to Early Summer
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green, Red Variegated
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous, Variegated
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Fountains of Rouge™ Virginia Sweetspire
- Botanical Name
- ITEA VIRGINICA 'FOUNTAINS OF ROUGE'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!