I highly recommend this one. Scentlandia ® sweetspire delivers on all three! But it is beautiful and adds great fall color. It will grow in full sun to full shade, and requires little pruning or other maintenance. Its compact size makes it wonderful for any space. ... Itea Virginica Sweetspire Care Size … It reaches a height of twenty-four to thirty-six inches. Fall color is red to purple and last well into winter. Itea plants have medium green leaves up to 4 inches (10 cm.) Plants have a denser, more attractive habit when grown in sunnier sites. It is in morning full sun. Itea virginica is a native shrub and in CT is highly recommended as an alternative to the truly invasive winged euonymous (burning bush). Mature Height is 3ft, mature spread is 3-4ft. Fabulously fragrant, sun or shade tolerant, showy white bottle-brush flowers, deer resistant, handsome foliage turning blazing red in fall…it will live happily ever after with its multi-season interest. Mass for a shrubby ground cover effect. It has bright green oblong leaves which turn a good red in the fall. On Apr 28, 2013, plant_it from Valparaiso, IN wrote: A versatile shrub for sun and shade. Its scent is lovely! Grows well in full sun or partial shade. It should be noted that this plant has the potential to form large colonies if it is given the conditions it prefers. On Jun 30, 2011, BoPo from Milwaukee, WI (Zone 5b) wrote: Thrives in full sun in zone 5b, rich but clayish soil. Are they normally very slow in budding? It is an open upright shrub growing to about 7 feet tall. They are planted where they do get partial sun/shade and they keep multiplying, but even with all the rain we had this year, they did not bloom at all. Sign up for our newsletter. On Jun 6, 2012, Ljw1970 from Indian Springs Village, AL wrote: I just purchased this wonderful shrub. Had beautiful red Foliage until first hard frost. Though Little Henry is a good plant and a best-seller, they knew they could improve on it. The native species is good enough to include in your garden. Had to dig it up and give it my daughter who has a much shadier yard. I've bought 2 more to put a nice arc around my Bed. So far this spring, they look dead, although if you cut into a branch, it is still green. I purchased several of these in spring 2008 to brighten a shady spot in my back yard. In the meantime I have already lost 2 of 9. Low and mounding growth habit. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers moist, humusy soils. The foliage of the Little Henry Sweetspire is stunning. The fragrant flowers are white and make their appearance early in the summer. Cultivars such as the dwarf form ‘Shirley’s Compact’ reaches only 18 inches (45.5 cm.) Little Henry is a useful native plant with lots of potential for the home landscape. Sweetspire usually grows three to five feet tall, although it may be taller and leggier in moist or shaded areas. On Sep 29, 2008, Sonshine445 from London, Ontario,Canada wrote: I planted an Itea 'Little Henry' last year and am very pleased with it. LITTLE HENRY is a dwarf version of the native species, with supe... read morerior flowers and better fall color than the species. By definition, a plant that is native cannot be labeled "invasive." 24-36” tall x 24-36” wide. I have him close to a fountain. Typically grows 3-4' (less frequently to 5') tall with a similar spread. Cultivated Itea sweetspire often does not reach this size. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. The dark green leaves turn beautiful fall colors the persist into early winter. In summer it has soft, touchable, drooping white flower clusters that remind me of caterpillars. It is found in most areas of NC. The Itea shrub is also known as Virginia sweetspire and Virginia willow. He's planted in a alkaline soil with some shade. This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions: On Jan 3, 2014, Rickwebb from Downingtown, PA wrote: This is the second most sold cultivar in southeast PA after 'Henry's Garnet.' On Sep 29, 2008, OTNB from Orange Park, FL (Zone 9a) wrote: I'm still out about this one..When I first planted 3 plants several years ago, they seemed to do pretty well; they had blossoms the first couple of years, but very sparse. A delightful shrub for massing in perennial and shrub borders, Little Henry® Itea is widely adaptable to sun or shade and a variety of soil conditions. Promptly remove root suckers to prevent any unwanted spread. Itea virginica 'Sprich' LITTLE HENRY . Scarlet Beauty™ Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica'Morton'): Upright-rounded, 3 to 4 feet high and wide; adundant flowers, orange-red fall color; Chicagoland Grows™ introduction. It is fully rooted in the soil and can be planted immediately upon arrival, weather permitting. Plant will be dormant (no leaves) late fall through the winter months, this is normal. Fragrant small flowers that collectively grow into tube-like shapes cover the shrub in early spring to late summer. 15 members have or want this plant for trade. The spread is … This year they barely bloomed and were very sparse even though the weather was good, not near as hot and dry as last year. and ‘Merlot’ tops out at just 3 1/2 feet (1 m.). Henry's Garnet Sweetspire - More commonly called the Virginia sweetspire, the Itea virginica is an erect, rounded, broad-spreading, native deciduous shrub.It has arching branches that typically grow 3-4' tall with a similar spread. Now that you’ve learned how to care for the fragrant Itea bush, include it in a wet and shady area of the landscape where nothing would grow before. On Jul 25, 2006, aprilwillis from Missouri City, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: I love this shrub! Common Name: Virginia sweetspire Type: Deciduous shrub Zone: 5 to 9 Average Rating: Your Name ... check the size because the size estimate is a little small Kate Location: Little Rock, AR This is a great plant for the right situation. Prune the plant to improve the shape and reduce its size but, be careful not to remove more than 30% of the top growth. Adaptable to shade. Special features: Attracts Butterflies , Compact Form , Fall Color , North American Native Selection Foliage color: Green Dwarf Virginia Sweetspire, Gooseberry 'Little Henry' Itea virginica. Little or no maintenance. If needed, prune these early summer flowering shrubs soon after they have bloomed. On Sep 29, 2008, wandygirl from Brookfield, CT wrote: I question the "may be a noxious weed or invasive" label. By: Becca Badgett, Co-author of How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden. Little Henry has lightly scented, pure white flowers that shoot like fireworks in the early summer horizon. It prefers moist soils and will tolerate wet conditions. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Average landscape size: Moderate growing; reaches 5 to 6 ft. tall and wide. This Virginia sweetspire cultivar is an extremely compact, rounded, deciduous shrub which typically grows to 2' tall with a slightly larger spread. The Itea spreads by underground runners, which may be blocked to control the spread of the pleasing native Itea bush. Henry's Garnet Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica'Henry's Garnet'): A rounded, 2 to 3 feet high and 4 to 6 feet wide shrub with white flowers and reddish-purple fall color. What a beautiful package!Plant DetailsZone: 5 - 8Mature Size: 3 ft High x 3 - 4 ft WideCurrent Size Est. 19 more photos VIEW GALLERY. Family: ... red and purple in fall, often persisting on the shrub until December. Does anyone else have any other suggestions or experiences with this plant? Slow to wake up in spring. The form is typically arching and spreading. The Scentlandia Sweetspire is a very versatile plant and one of the most fragrant sweetspire out there! Naturalizes well in wild or informal areas. Features fragrant, tiny white flowers borne in cylindrical, drooping racemes (3-6" long) which cover the shrub with bloom in late spring to early summer. Looks great among other shrubs that flower at the same time like spirea. What does this mean and how can I save it??? Foliage turns reddish-purple in fall. Scentlandia® sweetspire (Itea virginica) is an innovative new selection from Proven Winners. The products I use - https://kit.com/HortTube This video is a detailed description of Little Henry® Itea (Dwarf Sweetspire). : 10-15''Availability and quality confirmed as of Saturday, July 4 2020 Although it is one of few shrubs that live in wet soil, the Itea bush is also drought tolerant. In the right conditions, it can spread and fill in quickly via suckering roots, making it good f… Itea virginica, commonly called Virginia sweetspire, is an erect, rounded, broad-spreading, deciduous shrub with arching branches. Itea Scentlandia - Common name:Sweetspire - Once upon a time in the land of Scentlandia™, there was the perfect shrub. The thick foliage creates a rounded appearance, especially as stems arch with height. Mass plantings are usually more attractive than individual plants. Planted Little Henry last fall. Little Henry™ Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica'Sprich'): Compact, 3 to 4 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide; 3 to 4 inch flower spikes, and burgundy-red fall color. It can grow up to 8 feet tall and has graceful arching branches. Fire resistant. Then in the fall, the leaves turn scarlet and red. It is a big improvement over the wild bush, not only for its compact size, but also for its abundant flowering and especially for its spectacular fall coloring. Virginia sweetspire is a deciduous shrub with arching stems and alternate simple leaves that are oval in shape and dark green in color. This spring the flowers were scant because of a late frost, but it began to color up for fall in August, and last year, the leaves stayed on the plant for an extended period, some right into spring. There was a slight aroma to the flowers, but not the fragrant plant the name suggests. Fall or winter pruning will remove the flower buds that already have formed for that spring's bloom. Deers don't care for it. Later these dry and turn brown, at which time they can be left on the shrub for textural effect or deadheaded. In its native conditions, the Itea plant is often found on shady river banks. I bought and removed from original container and potted in a very large container. Native to the woodlands of eastern North America, it is a good choice for woodland borders. This year Henry Is blooming and starting to increase in Size. It is a bright green in the spring and summer and turns orange and red in the fall. Attracts butterflies in Spring. The Itea sweetspire shrub is an attractive landscape addition in many areas of the United States. Specimen, group or mass. Noteworthy Characteristics. Itea virginica 'Henry' s Garnet' NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. White flowers open in early June against Green foliage. Prune Virginia sweetspires right after they're done blooming in late spring. On older plants some of the heaviest cains can be removed to increase vigor. Virginia Sweetspire 'Sprich' LITTLE HENRY (Itea virginica) is an upright short shrub. Features fragrant, tiny white flowers borne in cylindrical racemes (3-4" long) which cover the shrub with bloom in late spring to early summer. On Apr 23, 2010, efjaykay from Kitchener,Canada wrote: I planted ten of these last season and they did very well. USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9. Learning how to care for Itea includes keeping the soil moist and yearly fertilization for the most prolific show of blooms. They developed it as an improved version of Little Henry. Light Requirement is Part Sun to Sun. Last year they were beautiful- very full blossoms and foilage, quite enjoyable. Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings, This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds, Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds. Of the Saxifragaceae family, the Itea bush, like most natives, can exist in many conditions with little maintenance. Height 2-3 Feet Tall. Plants thrive in moist soils, making an ideal selection for planting along the edges of streams and water gardens, or planting in rain gardens and low-lying areas. The moderately growing Itea plant takes an erect form with arching branches. It attracts butterflies and its berries provide food for passing birds. Attractive, reddish, autumn foliage makes the Itea sweetspire an excellent part of the fall display. Sweetspire Itea – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing. Average landscape size: Reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide. Botanically named Itea virginica, Itea sweetspire has a rounded form when planted in sunny areas. blooms in May. Little Henry's show springs to life again in the fall as the cool temperatures inspire a red foliage explosion that may outshine even that of Euonymus alatus 'Compacta'. I'm in zone 5, mid Missouri. White, fragrant flowers are borne on upright, dense racemes (elongated clusters) 2 to 6 inches long in early- to midsummer. The leaves are now turning yellow and falling off. Thanks. It is a little shorter growing, usually to about 5 ft. On Dec 10, 2013, jazzy1okc from Oklahoma City, OK wrote: If planted in good, rich soil, where it has shade from about 10 a.m. on, good air circulation, regular watering, and mulch this plant grows well in OKC. Here in Houston w/ the intensity of the sun it really requires a lot of protection from the sun- which I could not give it! I was told to try adding hollytone to the soil and that next spring they should bounce back. On Apr 11, 2006, CarolynBF from Florissant, MO (Zone 5b) wrote: I am very happy with this ever-changing shrub! What Is A Food Bank – Learn About Gardening For Food Banks, Mahogany Tree Uses – Information About Mahogany Trees, Willow Tree Growing: Learn How To Grow A Willow Tree, Upper Midwest Evergreens – Choosing Evergreen Shrubs For Upper Midwest, West North Central Conifers: What Are The Best Northern Plains Conifers, What Is A Columnar Tree: Popular Columnar Tree Varieties, Thornless Roses: Learn About Smooth Touch Roses, Controlling Squash Bugs – How To Get Rid Of Squash Bugs, Christmas Tree Alternative: Decorating An Outdoor Tree For Birds, New Zealand Christmas Tree – My Favorite Christmas Plant, Favorite Garden Toys: Garden-Related Gifts Through The Eyes Of A Gardener, Popular Holiday Plant Info: Fun Facts About Poinsettia. Wonderful shrub, nice flowers mid summer and spectacular fall coloring. It has been 3 days since I potted it. View gallery. Highly recommended. On Jun 4, 2008, Pamgarden from Central, VA (Zone 7b) wrote: Very nice size in the landscape, round and full and covered in pendulas white flowers that develop over several weeks in spring and draw bees and other small flying insects, but butterflies didn't seem all that interested. It features fragrant, tiny white flowers borne in cylindrical, drooping racemes which cover the shrub and bloom in late spring to early summer. Oval, dark green leaves (1-3" long) turn attractive shades of orange, red and purple in fall, often persisting on the shrub until December. Also a good selection for wet locations such as low spots or pond/stream margins. Scentlandia has much better cold tolerance, making it a superior choice for USDA zone 5 and 6. Shipping Information. The leaf color is rosy-purple and it makes a great accent for yellow foliaged plants. The shrub has a rounded habit and produces cylindrical drooping flowers (racemes) from late spring to mid-summer. It has smaller, more narrow leaves and a greater number of more slender stems than the mother species. Central Phoenix -- I have an Aloe Christmas Carol, ... read more, I just found one upside down on our patio and put him ... read more, Flocks to the suet feeder along with the dozen or so ... read more, Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Davesgarden.com. When purchasing from a nursery, little Henry will be the most common name to find it under. long, turning shades of yellow, orange, red, and mahogany in the fall. Dig through runners of the Itea sweetspire and remove those growing in areas where the bush is not wanted. The Itea bush grows 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 m.) in height, with a width of 4 to 6 feet (1 to 2 m.) when growing in the wild. Spread 2-3 Feet Wide. Buy Sweetspire Little Henry- Maryland Howard County - local nursery - Native plants for sale at Lauren's Garden Service Native Plant Shop 410-461-2535 laurensgardens@gmail.com Facebook Cultivated Itea sweetspire often does not reach this size. For Best results, plant in usda zone: 5-8 - mature size: 3-ft H x 3-4ft w. Plant is delivered in a #2 size container. Back to Previous Page. The plant is characterized by its gracefully arching red to purple-stemmed branches, small white to cream flowers, and long-lasting autumnal colors lasting well into winter. rior flowers and better fall color than the species. About Itea Shrubs The Itea bush grows 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 m.) in height, with a width of 4 to 6 feet (1 to 2 m.) when growing in the wild. Given the conditions it prefers moist, humusy soils and remove those growing in areas where the bush not. Plant has the potential to form large colonies if it is beautiful and adds great color! 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