shrub RHS AwardN. America Native

Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica 'Henry'

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

48 inches

Width

60 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

High

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

Long-lived deciduous shrub

Native To

Eastern United States

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Itea virginica is a deciduous shrub native to the eastern United States, known for its arching branches, fragrant summer flowers, and brilliant fall color. It thrives in moist to wet soils and will colonize by suckering. 'Henry's Garnet' is a standout cultivar selected for its exceptionally long, 6-inch drooping racemes of fragrant white flowers and its consistently spectacular, long-lasting garnet-red to purplish fall foliage.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Offers outstanding multi-season interest with fragrant summer flowers, brilliant and long-lasting fall color, and an attractive winter branch structure. Its graceful, arching habit adds a soft texture to the landscape.

Its suckering nature makes it an excellent choice for erosion control on banks and slopes. It is also a fantastic plant for stabilizing soil in wet areas, bioswales, and rain gardens.

The fragrant flowers are a valuable nectar source for a wide range of native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The dense thickets it can form provide cover for wildlife.

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Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with moist, acidic soil; sun or shade is fine.
Amend heavy clay or poor soil with compost before planting.
Dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the container.
Set the plant in the hole, ensuring the crown is at soil level.
Backfill with amended soil and water thoroughly to settle.
Apply mulch to retain moisture, which this plant loves.

Pro Tip

For the best fall color, plant 'Henry's Garnet' in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sun.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide consistent moisture, especially in full sun locations.
Plant in acidic soil for best performance and fall color.
Allow it to sucker and form a natural colony where space permits.
Prune right after flowering to avoid cutting off next year's blooms.

Don't

Do not let the soil dry out for extended periods.
Don't plant in high pH (alkaline) soils, which can cause chlorosis.
Avoid heavy pruning; it has a naturally graceful, arching habit.
Don't remove suckers if you desire a dense, massed planting.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Mulch
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Stunning mass planting for fall colorFragrant border for woodland edgesExcellent choice for rain gardens and wet areas

Companion Plants

Clethra alnifolia Fothergilla gardenii Osmunda cinnamomea Lobelia cardinalis Chelone lyonii

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire questions

What zones can Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire grow in?

Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire deer resistant?

Yes — Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire bloom?

Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire typically blooms in early summer through mid-summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire need full sun?

Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.