Virginia sweetspire is a native of stream banks and swamps of the southern and eastern US including Missouri and southern Illinois. When given optimal growing conditions of partial sun, and consistently rich, moist, but well-drained soils it can reach 8 feet in height but in cultivation it tends to be 3-6 feet tall and wide. In summer it bears showy racemes of fragrant white flowers that are attractive to pollinators and hummingbirds. In fall the leaves are various shades of red prior to falling. Sweetspire can sucker aggressively, especially in optimal conditions, so unwanted suckers should be removed immediately. Although individual plants can appear untidy, when grown en masse they make an attractive informal screen.