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 rich 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 Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 6 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 Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 3-4 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 3-4 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
- Bright Green
- Foliage Type
- , Herbaceous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Fall Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Love Child® Sweetspire
- Botanical Name
- ITEA VIRGINICA 'LOVE CHILD'
- 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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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
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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!