Virginia willow is a member of the Iteaceae family, and native to the southeast United States.

The flowers are white or cream, borne in downward pointing slightly curved spikes, in summer.

[5] Itea virginica is listed as "apparently secure" overall by NatureServe, and critically imperiled in Pennsylvania, Indiana and Oklahoma.

[7] In cultivation in the UK the cultivar 'Henry's Garnet' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[8][9] Itea virginica is used as a native ornamental landscape plant in North America, and numerous cultivars have been named.