{% assign use_variant_images = false %}
{% capture vertical_scroll %}{% endcapture %} {%- if use_variant_images and variant.images[0] -%} {%- assign images = variant.images -%} {%- else -%} {%- assign images = product.images -%} {%- endif -%}
{% assign last_slide = 0 %} {%- for image in images offset: imgOffset -%}
{% capture ImageResponsive %} {%- if image != blank -%} {%- if image.width > 180 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '180x' }} 180w {{ 180 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 360 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '360x' }} 360w {{ 360 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 540 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '540x' }} 540w {{ 540 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 720 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '720x' }} 720w {{ 720 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 900 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '900x' }} 900w {{ 900 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1080 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1080x' }} 1080w {{ 1080 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1296 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1296x' }} 1296w {{ 1296 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1512 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1512x' }} 1512w {{ 1512 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1728 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1728x' }} 1728w {{ 1728 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1944 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1944x' }} 1944w {{ 1944 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2160 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2160x' }} 2160w {{ 2160 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2376 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2376x' }} 2376w {{ 2376 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2592 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2592x' }} 2592w {{ 2592 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2808 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2808x' }} 2808w {{ 2808 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 3024 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '3024x' }} 3024w {{ 3024 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- assign image_size = image.width | append: 'x' -%} {{ image.src | img_url: image_size }} {{ image.width }}w {{ image.height }}h {%- endif -%} {% endcapture %}
{% if forloop.first or product.tags contains 'Graphic Overlay'%}
{% endif %}
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{% assign last_slide = forloop.index %} {% endfor %}
All media depicts mature plants.

Little Henry® Sweetspire (Itea)

SHRUB

Description

  • Fragrant white flowers in attract pollinators to your landscape.
  • Glorious, glowing fall color!
  • Grows in shade and wet soil.
  • Very heat tolerant native shrub.
  • Zones 5-9, sun/part sun/shade, 3' tall x 3' wide at maturity.
Zone 5-9
Light part sun/sun/shade
medium

{% assign discount_amount = 0 %} {% if variant.price < variant.compare_at_price %} Sale {{- variant.price | minus: discount_amount | money | remove: ' ' -}}
{{- variant.compare_at_price | money | remove: ' ' -}} {% else %} {{- variant.price | money | remove: ' ' -}} {% endif %} Each
Total
{{ variant.price | times: variant.quantity | money | remove: ' ' }}
{% for option in product.options_with_values %} {% assign optionIndex = forloop.index0 %} {% assign position = forloop.index %}
{{option.name}}
{% assign sortedvalues = option.values %} {% if option.name contains 'Length' or option.name contains 'Width' or option.name contains 'Height' or option.name contains 'Depth' or option.name contains 'Thickness' or option.name contains 'Weight' %} {% assign sortedvalues = option.values | sort %} {% endif %} {% for value in sortedvalues %} {% assign inventory_quantity = 0 %} {% assign available = false %} {% assign optionVariant = false %} {% if product.options_with_values.size == 3 and optionIndex == 2%} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == variant.option1 and v.option2 == variant.option2 and v.option3 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% elsif product.options_with_values.size == 2 and optionIndex == 1%} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == variant.option1 and v.option2 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% else %} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% endif %} {% assign checked = "" %} {% if variant.options[optionIndex] == value%}{% assign checked = "checked" %}{% endif %} {% endfor %}
{% endfor %}
More Info on Plant Sizes

{% capture add_to_cart %}Neptune.cart.add({ id:{{ variant.id | json }}, quantity:{{ variant.quantity }}, properties:{ '_growingzone':['5a', '5b', '6a', '6b', '7a', '7b', '8a', '8b', '9a', '9b'] } }, '.atcprod-{{ variant.id }}', { quantity: {{ variant.quantity }}, image: '//www.greatgardenplants.com/cdn/shop/products/Itea-Little-Henry-1-P.jpg?v=1608000906', title: 'Little Henry® Sweetspire (Itea)', option: 'One Quart' }); return false;{% endcapture %} {% assign discontinued = '' %} {% for tag in product.tags %} {% if tag contains 'discontinued' %} {% assign discontinued = 'true' %} {% endif %} {% endfor %} {% if variant.available %} {% else %} {% unless discontinued == 'true' %} Notify Me When Available {% endunless %} {% endif %}
{% if error %}
{{error.description}}
{% endif %}
View Detailed Plant Information
↓

Plant Spacing

Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:

bush distance

Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:

bush distance zigzag
white plant in hand icon

Hand-picked at our greenhouse

white shipped to door icon

Shipped to your door

Young plant icon

Arrives as young plant

background image

More Information

Description Little Henry® sweetspire (Itea virginica) was one of the very first Proven Winners shrubs – and its popularity shows no signs of abating. It’s no wonder: this very handsome native shrub has glossy, leathery foliage all season, and elegant white flower spikes in early summer. They give off a sweet-spicy fragrance you’ll look forward to every year. But the show doesn’t stop there. Come autumn, the foliage turns a dazzling array of red and burgundy, creating a carpet of color. Little Henry is a dwarf version of our native sweetspire, growing shorter and more compact than wild types. It should be given plenty of room, however, as once it is established in proper conditions, it spreads to form a lush colony. It’s one of the best flowering shrubs for shade! Grows well in wet soils, too. Details Botanical name: Itea virginica 'Sprich'
Patent #: PP 10,988
Common name: Sweetspire, Virginia sweetspire, Itea
Zone: 5-9
Sun exposure: Full sun (6+ hours sun) , part-sun (4-6 hours sun), shade (<4 hours sun). Can take full shade, but flowering and fall color will be diminished.
Height x width: 2-3' tall and wide
Flower color: White
Foliage color: Green
Season of Interest: Early summer to autumn
Bloom time: Early summer
Features: Proven Winners, native, fragrant, fall color, drought tolerant, deer resistant, container plants, best for beginners
Uses: Hedge, native plant gardens, wildlife gardens, ground cover
 How To Grow Soil: Moist but well-drained soils are best. Established sweetspire can take some dryness.
Light: Full sun (6+ hrs/day), part-sun (4-6 hrs/day), shade (<4 hours sun). Can grow in full shade, but flowering will be diminished, and fall color will not be as vivid.
Water: Average.
Space: 2 - 4'
Fertilizing: Little needed. If desired, fertilize in early spring, once the ground has thawed, with a granular rose fertilizer. A second application may be made in late spring/early summer as well.
Winterizing: Nothing special required, aside from a good 2-3" layer of mulch. Mulch is especially important in zones 5 and 6.
Maintenance & Pruning: Blooms on old wood, so should only be pruned after bloom. Dead wood can be removed in spring, once new growth has begun to emerge and it's clear where any dieback may have occurred.
 

Ideas & Inspo

6 Fragrant Flowers for Spring

Lots of the most beloved fragrant plants bloom in spring and early summer; they’re the perfect way to welcome back the growing season and the return of spending time outdoors. We’re sharing some of our all-time favorite fragrant plants in spring here. Plant them and create your own fragrant memories this season!

Get inspired

Customer Reviews

Based on 21 reviews
95%
(20)
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5%
(1)
K
K.F.

Very happy

W
W.T.S. (Wisconsin)
Little Henry® Sweetspire - Flourishing!

I ordered 7 Little Henry® Sweetspire shrubs in June. They arrived in great shape and are flourishing 4 weeks after planting. I am 100% satisfied with my purchase!

C
C.B. (Georgia)
Little Henry Sweetspire

I love his green leaves and I’m looking forward to the beauty he will show off along with the fragrance!

M
M.O. (Rhode Island)
I love Great Garden Plants

I am totally satified with the delivery, condition of the plants when delivered, general condition of the plants. I could not be happier and I will never (again) order plants online from any other company!

K
K.S. (Washington)
Hardy shrub

I garden in zone 8b in the Pacific Northwest. In order to make an easier to maintain landscape, I am adding shrubs to a long border at the school garden that gets morning sun and some afternoon shade. I wanted Little Henry as it would have spring and fall ( school year) interest and would do both sun and shade. I had Great Garden Plants ship them in September. They arrived in great shape. I planted them and put a bamboo stake near them so they would not get trampled. This spring they are leafing out and look great. I bought 3 Little Henry Sweetspire and also 3 Sugar Baby Forsythia at the same time. The photo shows one of the Little Henry Sweetspire with a stake next to it in the lower right of the photo. All the plants I bought arrived in good shape and all are doing well 7 months later. This April, I just placed another order for shrubs and perennials . I like the pricing and the quality of the plants. I have been gardening for 55 years and appreciate the selection of newer variety plants that perform well.

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