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photo of Richard Feist

Meet the Breeder

Richard Feist
Burlington, KY, USA

LITTLE HENRY®

Sweetspire

Itea virginica

'Sprich'

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Close up of long white flowers of Little Henry Itea Heavy blooming Little Henry Itea in garden Low hedge of Little Henry Itea at along sidewalk at botanical garden Red hued mass planting of Little Henry Itea in fall YouTube video describing the plant shown on this page
  • Native to North America
  • Shade tolerant
  • Fragrant
Description

A Proven Winners® ColorChoice® best-seller, Little Henry® sweetspire is a versatile native shrub that grows in full sun to full shade and thrives in moist soils. Lightly scented, pure white flowers shoot like fireworks from the glossy foliage in summer. Just a fraction of the size of conventional Itea, its mounded, compact stature makes it an improvement over older varieties such as the 'Henry's Garnet'.

Awards
Top Selection, Ohio Plant Selection Committee
USDA Zone
5 - 9 (-20°F/-28.9°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun, Shade
Height
2 - 3'
Width
2 - 3'
Finish Time
1 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Early summer
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

Soil

Itea thrives in moist to wet soils but is surprisingly tolerant of normal and dry conditions as well - especially once established. Adaptable to pH.

Pruning

Prune to shape after flowering.

Uses

Mass plantings; wildlife and woodland gardens; specimen; mixed borders; landscaping.

Growing Tips

Though flowering and fall foliage color is best with at least some sun, itea is one of the most shade tolerant flowering shrubs. May have some dieback in cold climates - mulch and/or site in protected areas in zones 5 and 6.

  • Spec Sheet: Little Henry® Itea Spec Sheets
  • Benchcard: Little Henry® Itea Benchcard
  • Tag: Little Henry® Itea Tag
  • Grower Sheet: Little Henry® Itea Grower Sheet

    • Features: Attracts pollinators, Dwarf, Compact, Fall interest, Fragrant, Native, Deer resistant, Clay soil, Drought tolerant, Alkaline soil

    Filters: Botanical genus: Itea, Common name: Sweetspire, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Exposure: Shade, Bloom time: Summer, White flowers, Green foliage

    Features: Attracts pollinators, Dwarf, Compact, Fall interest, Fragrant, Native, Deer resistant, Clay soil, Drought tolerant, Alkaline soil

    Filters: Botanical genus: Itea, Common name: Sweetspire, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Exposure: Shade, Bloom time: Summer, White flowers, Green foliage