Bring the Outdoors Home

Virginia Sweetspire | Plant Profile

Virginia Sweetspire ‘Sprich’ LITTLE HENRY (Itea virginica) is an upright short shrub. The thick foliage creates a rounded appearance, especially as stems arch with height. Fragrant small flowers that collectively grow into tube-like shapes cover the shrub in early spring to late summer. The dark green leaves turn beautiful fall colors the persist into early winter.

LITTLE HENRY prefer average fertility, well drain soils in full sun to part shade. The soils should have medium to wet moisture content. They spread by basal shoots which should be removed if propagation is not desired.

LITTLE HENRY are hardy shrubs that can handle wet soils and sun or shade. This makes them viable options for many garden applications. They can become natural garden borders or populate woodland areas. If planted in mass, they can mimic groundcovers. Their moisture tolerance means that they can be planted in wet spots to absorb excess moisture.

 

Description

Virginia Sweetspire Characteristics

LITTLE HENRY have attractive dense foliage with plentiful cylindrical flowers. They are an easily grown, low maintenance option suitable for any yard size. Deer commonly avoid these shrubs and they rarely suffer from blights or pest issues.

After the fragrant flowers bloom in the spring, the leaves turn bright orange, red, and yellow in fall. This reinvigorated interest means that these shrubs are a focal point for the majority of the year.

USDA Climate Zone
Zones 5 - 9
Height
1.50 - 2.00'
Spread
2.00 - 2.50'
Bloom Time
June - July
Water
Medium - Wet
Sun
Full Sun - Part Shade
Maintenance
Low
Deer Resistant?
Yes