Plants

Family: Grossulariaceae (Currant Family)

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Indiana Native
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Shrub
Indiana Native
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Itea virginica
[Virginia Sweetspire]

Quite drought and pH tolerant although best situated in moist areas with some acidity. Flowers best in full sun, but is shade tolerant. Pruning sometimes needed to maintain form, primarily for removal of wayward branches. Avoid pruning in late fall or winter as flowers form on previous season's wood. Can be subject to flea beetle and leaf spot.
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Itea virginica
Shrub
Audio Recording AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available

Itea virginica 'Henry’s Garnet'
[Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire]

'Henry's Garnet' is an excellent cultivar that has larger flowers and more exceptional red and purple fall color when compared to the straight species. Resistant to flea beetle and leaf spot. Quite drought and pH tolerant although best situated in moist areas with some acidity. Flowers best in full sun, but is shade tolerant. Pruning sometimes needed to maintain form, primarily for removal of wayward branches. Avoid pruning in late fall or winter as flowers…
Audio Recording AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Itea virginica 'Henry’s Garnet'
Shrub
Audio Recording AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available

Itea virginica 'Sprich' [sold as Little Henry™]
[Dwarf Virginia Sweetspire]

The Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire is a compact, dwarf cultivar that has excellent flowers and fall color. Quite drought and pH tolerant although best situated in moist areas with some acidity. Flowers best in full sun, but is shade tolerant. Pruning sometimes needed to maintain form, primarily for removal of wayward branches. Avoid pruning in late fall or winter as flowers form on previous season's wood. Susceptible to flea beetle and leaf spot.
Audio Recording AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Itea virginica 'Sprich' [sold as Little Henry™]
Shrub
Indiana Native
Purdue Plant Doctor Available

Ribes americanum
[American Black Currant]

American Black Currant is a shade and wet soil tolerant shrub species often found in our Indiana woodlands. Small greenish-white flowers bloom in May which leads to dark red to black fruits that ripen in late August/September. When placed in full sun, a brilliant reddish orange fall color is produced but often golden yellow in the fall. The edible fruits are used in jams and jellies and are desirable food source for wildlife. An alternative…
Indiana NativePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Ribes americanum

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