Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet'

Henry's Garnet Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ — commonly called Virginia sweetspire — is a deciduous shrub valued for its fragrant, drooping white flower spikes that appear in late spring to early summer and for its outstanding deep garnet-red to burgundy fall color that often persists well into late autumn. Glossy dark green foliage forms a dense, rounded mound, and the arching branches give the plant a graceful, natural appearance in borders and mass plantings.

Type: Deciduous shrub

Mature Size:
Width: 4–6 ft
Height: 3–4 ft

USDA Zones: 5a–9b

Form: Rounded, spreading, arching

Light: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, organically rich soil; adaptable to clay and wet conditions

Water: Medium; prefers consistent moisture but tolerates occasional drought once established

Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies; deer resistant

Features & Landscape Uses: Excellent for foundation plantings, woodland edges, rain gardens, mass plantings, and erosion control on moist slopes. Outstanding fall color extends seasonal interest long after bloom.

Care: Prune after flowering if shaping is needed, since blooms form on old wood. Suckers may be removed to control spread or allowed to naturalize in larger plantings. Performs especially well in moist soils but adapts to average garden conditions.

Plant type

Deciduous Shrub, Flowering Shrub

Height

3-4'

Width

4-6'

Hardiness zones

5–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Dark Golden Rod

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Erosion control mass planting, Foundation, Mass Planting

Shape

Arching, Rounded, Spreading

Bark

Smooth

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No