Virginia-willow, Virginia sweetspire
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Itea virginica
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Escalloniaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also an accent shrub in wet areas. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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An occasional element in freshwater swamps and mesic hammocks. |
Availability: |
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Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in South Florida. |
Description: |
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Medium slender woody shrub. Leaves 2-5 inches long. Temperate deciduous. |
Height: |
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Typically 3-8 feet in height; to about 10 feet in South Florida. Usually taller than broad. |
Growth Rate: |
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Moderate. |
Range: |
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Eastern and central United States west to Texas and south to Broward and Collier counties. Very rare in Broward County. |
Habitats: |
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Swamps and mesic hammocks. |
Soils: |
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Wet to moist, poorly-drained to moderately well-drained organic soils. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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High; requires rich organic soils for optimal growth. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Low; salt wind may burn the leaves. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought. |
Light Requirements: |
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Light shade to moderate shade, or sometimes full sun. |
Flower Color: |
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White or pale pink. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Showy, in terminal spike-like racemes to 5 inches long. |
Flowering Season: |
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Spring. |
Fruit: |
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Inconspicuous capsule. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Provides some food and cover for wildlife. Attracts pollinating bees. |
Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seed. |
Comments: |
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This uncommon shrub is very attractive when in flower. It is not a true willow. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page. |
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