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shrub

Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica 'Sprich'

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Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica 'Sprich') at The Growing Place

Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica 'Sprich') at The Growing Place

Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica 'Sprich') at The Growing Place

Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire in fall

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  3 feet

Spread:  4 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  5a

Description:

A compact spreading version of this native shrub which features extremely long and narrow panicles of white flowers in early summer, consistently reddish-purple fall color; good for the garden or for naturalizing, spreads to form small colonies

Ornamental Features

Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire has racemes of fragrant white flowers at the ends of the branches in early summer. It has green deciduous foliage. The narrow leaves turn an outstanding burgundy in the fall. The purple stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire is a dense spreading deciduous shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Suckering

Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Garden  Naturalizing 
Applications
Flowers  Fall Color  Bark  Winter Value 
Ornamental Features