This product does not ship to: Idaho
Availability : Pre-Order
Availability : In Stock

Love Child® Sweetspire

Availability : Pre-Order
Availability : In Stock
$73.49
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This product does not ship to: Idaho
Light Needs

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun
(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
Mature Height

Mature Height

6-11 Inches
Mature Spread

Mature Spread

6-11 Inches
Growing Zones

Growing Zones

6 to 9

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
Container Sizes

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.

Quart Pot
Quart Pot

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

2.5 Quart
2.5 Quart

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

#1 Pot
#1 Pot

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

#2 Pot
#2 Pot

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

#3 Pot
#3 Pot
>

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

#5 Pot
#5 Pot

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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Best in Class Warranty

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.

Arrival Guarantee

We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.

Free 1-Year Plant Warranty

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.

Plant Shipping
Pre-Ordered Plants

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 Spring Shipping Schedule

Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.

Growing Zone Estimated Ship Week
Zone 10March 24th
Zone 9March 31st
Zone 8April 7th
Zone 7April 14th
Zone 6bApril 21st
Zone 6aApril 28th
Zone 5bMay 5th
Zone 5aMay 12th
Zone 4May 19th
Zone 3May 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 Shipping Now

Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.