'Little Henry' is a cultivar in the Iteaceae family. It is a dwarf version of the native Itea virginica that has more superior flowers than its species. Its fall color is also improved.

Understanding the Context

Itea virginica Little Henry® (Virginia Sweetspire) is a small, compact, deciduous shrub boasting bottlebrush spikes of lightly fragrant, creamy-white flowers in late spring to early summer. The flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the shrub. With its compact size, showy blooms, and stunning fall colors, Itea Little Henry® is a versatile shrub that brings beauty and functionality to any garden. Use it as a colorful border plant, a mass planting for a striking effect, or in foundation plantings to add year-round interest.

Key Insights

So versatile; Itea Little Henry is perfect for smaller borders, grouped or massed on a large bank. The fresh white flowers will also brighten a woodland garden. These varieties have been proven in trials around the world to be vigorous and easy to grow. Little Henry sweetspire is a useful native plant with lots of potential for the home landscape. It prefers moist soils and will tolerate wet conditions.

Final Thoughts

It will grow in full sun to full shade, and requires little pruning or other maintenance. Little Henry has lightly scented, pure white flowers that shoot like fireworks in the early summer horizon. Its mounded, compact stature makes it an improvement over older varieties such as the old favorite 'Henry's Garnet'. It is also a delightful addition to the mixed border. Description Little Henry Sweetspire is a dwarf deciduousshrubthat has long-lasting fall color. The shiny bright green oval leaves turn garnet-red and orange in fall and hold until early winter before being dropped.

The tiny fragrant white flowers that blanket the shrub bloom on drooping cylindrical racemes in spring. Best fall color infull sun and rich moist well-drained soils. The Itea sweetspire shrub is an attractive landscape addition in many areas of the United States. As a native to this area, this shrubs produces attractive foliage and fragrant, drooping bottle brush blooms that appear in spring, creating a dazzling display with little care from the gardener.