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Henry's Garnet Sweetspire Shrub
Henry's Garnet Sweetspire Shrub
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Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’
Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire –
The Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire is a compact, native flowering shrub beloved for its cascading white flower spikes, rich fall color, and incredible versatility. With sweetly fragrant blooms in early summer and a deep garnet-red display in autumn, this standout cultivar provides multi-season interest with very little maintenance.
Perfect for slopes, rain gardens, borders, and woodland edges, Henry’s Garnet thrives in a wide range of soils and lighting conditions, making it a dependable and beautiful choice for pollinator gardens and naturalized plantings.
Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ |
| 🏷️ Common Names | Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire, Virginia Sweetspire |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 3–5 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 4–6 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Moderate (12–24 inches per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 20–30 years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 5–9 |
| ☀️ Sun Preference | Full sun to partial shade (best bloom and color in sun) |
| 🧱 Soil Type | Moist, well-drained loam, clay, or sandy soils |
| ⚖️ Soil pH | Acidic to slightly alkaline (5.0–7.5) |
| 💧 Water Needs | Moderate; tolerates wet soil once established |
| 🌸 Flower Color | Fragrant white bottlebrush-like spikes |
| 🍁 Fall Color | Deep garnet-red to purple foliage |
| 🐝 Pollination | Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Arching, suckering, multi-stemmed shrub |
| ↔️ Spacing | 4–6 ft apart for borders or mass planting |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Rain gardens, foundations, native borders, woodland edges |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Low |
Environmental Benefits
🌸 Provides early summer nectar for native pollinators
🪶 Offers dense structure and shelter for birds and small wildlife
🌧️ Thrives in moist soils and erosion-prone areas
🌿 Supports healthy ecosystems in native and urban plantings
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Fragrant white blooms and brilliant fall foliage | 🌱 Can spread slowly via suckers in open spaces |
| 🧬 Native and deer-resistant with high pollinator value | ✂️ May need light pruning after flowering to maintain shape |
| 🌧️ Handles moist, clay-heavy soils with ease | 🌾 Needs regular watering during establishment in dry zones |
| 🏡 Compact, arching form ideal for small gardens | ❄️ Fall color may be less intense in deep shade |
| 🐝 Excellent for rain gardens, slopes, and natural borders | 📏 Moderate growth rate may be slow for fast-fill situations |
Planting & Care Guide
🛁 Water thoroughly after planting and during dry spells
🕳️ Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball; plant at original soil level
🌾 Mulch 2–3 inches deep around base to retain moisture and prevent weeds
💦 Maintain consistent moisture the first growing season
✂️ Prune after flowering if shaping is desired or to remove dead stems
🧪 Fertilize in early spring with a native-appropriate or low-nitrogen mix
The Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire is a pollinator-friendly powerhouse, bringing lush summer blooms, vibrant fall color, and natural resilience to landscapes large and small. Whether you're stabilizing a slope, brightening a border, or building habitat, this native gem is a beautiful and practical solution for dynamic, multi-season gardens.
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