Sweetspire, or Itea Virginica "Little Henry" with Spring flowers
Are you a fan of “Burning Bush” Euonymus? Two years ago I planted a different shrub called Itea Virginica “Little Henry”. I also planted a variety called “Henry’s Garnet”. These deciduous shrubs have beautiful white flowers in the spring, green leaves in the summer, and gorgeous, deep burgundy color in the fall. They are very easy to grow and I recommend them instead of “Burning Bush” because of the beautiful flowers in the spring. Fall is a great time to plant woody ornamentals, so I hope you will try Itea Virginica in your yard.
Beautiful Fall Color of "Little Henry"
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 
Itea is a great shrub and while it does sucker and expand, especially in the moist soils of it’s native habitat, it has not reseeded in my yard the way Euonymous alata, Burning Bush, does. I know Burning bush is invasive in some places so I keep a close eye on it.
Thanks for a great recommendation!
I love the color in fall with the matching Hydrangea blooms in the background. It’s Beautiful. My first year I planted two of these in my front yard bed. Only one survived and not very well. Maybe it was in the wrong spot. I’m actually not sure it’s still living. I’ll have to check it out to make sure. I have it next to a varigated hydrangea. But they sure do smell heavenly.
Chris and Carol:
Thanks for the excellent posting and comment. I always enjoy when both of you give your recommendations on a particular plant. The two of you are such excellent gardeners! This reminds me of your previous exchange over hydrangeas…which had me scurrying off to the internet to find out more about these shrubs that I just took for granted.
Well, this is no different. The Kemper collection at the Missouri Botanical Gardens lists Sweetspire as a “Plant of Merit”. As Chris’ photos indicate, Itea Virginica has showy, fragrant flowers or racemes from mid May to mid June…and an outstanding fall color. To read more about this interesting woody ornamental and see some spectacular fall foliage photos, please go to this site. The variety is Henry Garnet rather than Little Henry…the only difference being the spread and possibly a deeper fall color. Both are excellent choices for the garden, as long as you are mindful of the spread and suckering.
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code-D590
I will say in defense of the poor Burning Bush…one will have to look far to find a better winterscape scene than the contrast of those red branches against a snowy backdrop. BB’s flowers are of little note as are its bare stems in early spring depending on how they are pruned.
A good choice that will now have a place in my garden.