Itea virginica Saturnalia

Saturn Itea

Itea virginica ‘Saturnalia’ — commonly called Virginia sweetspire — is a deciduous shrub valued for its fragrant white bottlebrush-like flower spikes that appear in late spring to early summer and for its vivid red to burgundy fall color. It forms a dense, rounded shrub with slightly arching branches and glossy green foliage, offering strong seasonal interest in both bloom and autumn color.

Type: Deciduous shrub

Mature Size:
Width: 4–6 ft
Height: 4–6 ft

USDA Zones: 5a–9b

Form: Rounded, dense, arching

Light: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, organically rich soil; adaptable to clay and wet conditions

Water: Medium; prefers consistent moisture but tolerates short dry periods once established

Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies; deer resistant

Features & Landscape Uses: Excellent for shrub borders, rain gardens, woodland edges, mass plantings, and naturalized moist areas. Strong fall color adds lasting ornamental value after flowering.

Care: Prune after flowering if shaping is needed, since blooms form on old wood. Suckers may be removed to maintain form or allowed to spread in naturalized settings. Performs best with regular moisture, especially during establishment.

Plant type

Flowering Shrub

Height

4-6'

Width

4-6'

Hardiness zones

5–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Bloom time

Early Summer

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich, Tolerant of Clay

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Border, Container, Mass Planting

Shape

Arching, Dense, Rounded

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No