Itea virginica ‘Little Henry’, commonly known as Little Henry Sweetspire, is a compact, hardy native deciduous shrub prized for its fragrant white flowers, attractive foliage, and brilliant fall color. This smaller selection of Virginia Sweetspire is an excellent choice for residential landscapes, rain gardens, foundation plantings, borders, woodland gardens, and naturalized areas.
In late spring to early summer, Itea virginica ‘Little Henry’ produces abundant, slender clusters of fragrant white flowers that gracefully arch downward from the branches. The blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators and create a striking display against the dark green foliage. In fall, the foliage develops brilliant shades of red, orange, purple, and burgundy, providing exceptional seasonal interest.
Little Henry Sweetspire performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It can tolerate wet conditions once established, making it particularly well suited to rain gardens, stream edges, and other moisture-rich areas. Its compact, mounded growth habit makes it a versatile choice for smaller landscapes and spaces where a more manageable native shrub is desired.
With its fragrant summer flowers, compact form, outstanding fall color, and adaptability to moist soils, Itea virginica ‘Little Henry’ is an excellent native shrub for gardeners looking to add multi-season beauty, pollinator value, and ecological interest to the landscape.
NOT INTENDED FOR CONSERVATION USE, PLEASE SEE STRAIGHT SPECIES