
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
The Love Child® Sweetspire is a beauty that is like having two stunning plants in one. The bright green oval leaves come to a point and provide lush color throughout the spring and summer. By fall, the foliage turns a rich, deep burgundy hue. The foliage puts on a show, but this plant also boasts fragrant white racemes or flower clusters in the spring. The Itea virginica 'Bailteaone' is a dazzling easy-care plant that provides color and interest throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
This shrub has an upright, mounded growth habit and is small in size at about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. The compact size makes this plant a great option for small spaces or use in a border or in front of a foundation wall. The flower clusters attract pollinators, and if you allow the flowers to go to seed, you can watch birds drop by to feed on the seeds. The foliage is deer-resistant so that you can enjoy the greenery even in areas prone to damage from animals. The Love Child® Sweetspire grows as a perennial in USDA zones 6 through 9.
Love Child® Sweetspire Care
Plant this shrub in full sun to partial shade. Sweetspire can live in lower light levels but expect more vibrant foliage when grown in full sun. Soil should be rich, acidic, and moist but well-drained. Give new plants one inch of water per week for the first growing season. Established plants are drought-tolerant, but give the plant a drink during a dry spell to support healthy growth.
This shrub naturally maintains a rounded look, so pruning is not necessary, but you can trim the plant to keep the size or shape. Feed the Love Child® Sweetspire using a balanced fertilizer in the spring.
Love Child® Sweetspire Spacing
This upright perennial will grow 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart when creating a low hedge or continuous planting.
Love Child® Sweetspire Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 - 9 |
Plant Type: Bushes |
Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 3 - 4 Inches |
Mature Spread: 3 - 4 Inches |
Spacing: 3 - 4 Inches |
Habit: Mounded |
Flower Color(s): White |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: Spring |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: Bright Green |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Fall Interest |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer, Disease |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Butterflies |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Fragrant |
Brand: |
Common Name: Love Child® Sweetspire |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: ITEA VIRGINICA `LOVE CHILD` |
- SKU:
- 1231011466-pc
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

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.