Itea virginica Little Henry ('Sprich'PBR)
Virginia sweet spire [Little Henry]
A compact, upright then arching deciduous shrub to 1.5m tall, with narrowly ellliptic, finely toothed, dark green leaves. Fragrant, creamy white flowers are borne in dense, erect spikes to 15cm long in summer. A free-flowering cultivar that takes on excellent, fiery red and purple autumn colour. Grow in a moist shrub border or as a free-standing specimen
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red Purple | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Iteaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Itea can be deciduous shrubs, or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with small white, cream or pale green flowers
- Name status
Trade
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist, slightly acid soil in partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by sowing seed as soon as ripe in containers in an open frame, or by greenwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
See pruning group 2
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
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