Deciduous shrub · Brilliant fall color · Pollinator favorite
Growing conditions
Sun: Full sun to shade
Soil: Average to moist soils; tolerates wet soils
Plant details
Size: ~4–8 ft tall × 4–6 ft wide (spreads by suckers to form colonies)
Blooms: Fragrant white bottlebrush flowers from late spring into early summer
Fall color: Vibrant shades of red
Deer resistant: Yes
Why we love it
- A beautiful native alternative to invasive Japanese barberry
- Graceful white bottlebrush flowers provide weeks of bloom from late spring into early summer
- Flowers open gradually from the base of each flower spike to the tip, extending the bloom period
- Makes an excellent foundation or border shrub with a naturally mounded habit
- Spreads by suckers to form a beautiful hedge or naturalized planting
- Leaves turn brilliant shades of red in fall, providing one of the best autumn displays among native shrubs
Why wildlife loves it
- Fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and many other pollinators
- Dense branching offers shelter and nesting cover for birds and other wildlife
Fun to see
Look for winter interest even after the leaves drop. Sweetspire's arching stems turn a deep purple-red where exposed to winter sun, and a few holdout red leaves often cling on, glowing like jewels against the bare branches.
What to expect at pickup
Plants are sold as young, well-rooted plugs. Some may be just emerging or still waking up from dormancy at pickup—they’ll grow and fill in as the season unfolds.
Before you order
All orders are for pickup at the Montclair Farmers Market.
• Choose your pickup Saturday at checkout
• Orders must be picked up on that date
• Plants are living and may vary in appearance
• All sales are final once plants are picked up
• Please check your plants at pickup — we can only address issues at that time
