Virginia Sweetspire, Gooseberry, Itea 'Henry's Garnet'

On May 7, 2018, anniegolden from Dover, DE wrote:

I have 4 of these in my mostly shady central Delaware back yard. I think it is an under-utilized plant. It blooms here after the big fancy show of azaleas and wisteria are done. Then the itea and wild hydrangea put on a more reserved show. A few years after planting, a big oak tree had to come down, and now one of the itea is just getting too much sun, and is not too happy. They all send out suckers, but these are not too difficult to remove. If you have a shady yard, you might try planting this shrub, especially if you are aiming for a woodland look.

On Mar 22, 2013, jaib from Rebecca, GA (Zone 8b) wrote:

I think I have this plant growing wild on my property. It may be something else. Most are in full sun, but some are in a shady moist area and these are huge, almost like trees. These have been here a long time.
Towards fall the racemes the flowers were on get very tiny green berries that turn brown and fall to the ground. I see the fall pictures but don't see any of these seed racemes on them. We mowed a lot of these down when we bought the property but haven't mowed them since. They are growing like crazy and are four feet tall in two years. Could this be something else? I would send pics but right now they don't look like much. They are just starting to get buds.

On May 23, 2010, Osteole from Lamar, AR (Zone 7a) wrote:

Gorgous blooms in late May. Mine gets 3-4 hours sunlight, clay soil. Starting to send out runners, but they are easily trimmed out of the ground to control spread.

On Jun 27, 2008, sladeofsky from Louisville, KY (Zone 6b) wrote:

This is a native plant to the Eastern US, where the genus Ribes has been cultivated as a food crop from at least colonial times. I remember my Great-grandmother having several rows of gooseberries. But those were always Ribes of whatever species. Generally geooseberries are Ribes with fruit much larger than currants and colored green, gold or blush pink. I know how varied common names are, but this one confuses me bcause sweetspires are native and gooseberries are very traditional and common.

On Sep 4, 2001, Terry from Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:

This plant has fragrant attractive racemes of white flowers in mid-Summer, followed by green berries which turn brownish purple.

If given moist soil, it will sucker vigorously, and may spread beyond where it was intended. Provide adequate water, but do not keep constantly moist to help check its growth.