Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica 'Sprich'

$79⁹⁹

In Stock
Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™

Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.

This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.

Click Here to learn more

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

Standard Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From	To	S&H
$0	$19.99	$24.99
$20	$49.99	$29.99
$50	$69.99	$34.99
$70	$99.99	$39.99
$100	$129.99	$44.99
$130	$149.99	$48.99
$150	$150+	Approx 28%

Click here to see our full rates

Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Proven Winners ColorChoice
Botanical Name

Itea virginica 'Sprich'
Growing Zones

5-9
Mature Height

2 - 3 feet
Mature Spread

2- 3 feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun, Full Shade
Moisture

Moderate
Soil

Widely Adaptable
Growth Rate

Medium
Flower Color

Deciduous
Fall Color

Orange, Red
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Late Spring, Summer
Photos Provided By

Proven Winners, Inc - www.provenwinners.com

Growing Zones 5-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

Perfect Solution Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire

Use in Sun to Full Shade
Fragrant, Showy Blooms in Early Summer
Bottlebrush White Flowers Cover these Compact Shrubs
Amazing Fall Color
Great for Containers or Shrub Borders
Tough Little Plant Handles Both Drought and Works in Wet Soil
Tolerates Sun or Shade
Deer Tend to Leave it Alone

Need a hard-working, beautiful native deciduous shrub to polish your landscape? Rely on Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica 'Sprich' PP10,988) to really boost the visual appeal.

This dwarf ornamental shrub features fabulous early summer flowers and leaves that turn vivid oranges and reds in the fall. You'll also love it's easy-care nature!

This improved Proven Winners® cultivar stays smaller and more compact than the native species and other varieties. It is also truly adaptive to a variety of growing conditions.

Durable, cute Little Henry Sweetspire grows beautifully in full sun, partial sun or full shade. It can grow in both boggy ground, but can also handle periodic drought.

Let it delight you and your guests with its fireworks profusion of whimsical blooms in early summer. Your local butterflies and hummingbirds will also adore the 6-inch long, sweetly drooping racemes of fragrant flowers.

All summer, the mounded, tidy form of Little Henry will work hard as a pretty edging plant. You'll want to give them a prime spot front and center, so you can enjoy watching the vibrant green foliage put on their flaming fall color display.

These native plants deliver as impactful a fall display as Burning Bush! You'll be rewarded with a riotous harvest color mix in the fall to close out your season.

Overall, it's generally a trouble-free, ornamental shrub. Little Henry Sweetspire will live 40 years or more.

Place your order for Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire. Our growers love it, and it's sure to become one of your special favorites, too.

How to Use Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire in the Landscape

This versatile charmer can be used in just about any sun or soil condition. Why not take advantage of this rare trait?

Use this as a long-running low edging hedge through sunny and shade conditions in many parts of your yard. Or, tie your landscape together by repeating its use throughout your garden beds.

Little Henry is great for grouping and for massing on large banks to control erosion. Plant two feet apart on center in staggered, zigzagging rows.

They'll grow together to create a solid planting. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next, and be sure to keep new mass plantings weeded while they fill in.

Brighten up a side yard, include in a Butterfly Garden or try them as a "Thriller" in containers placed on either side of your front door. They look wonderful running along the path of woodland gardens.

It prefers moist soils and will tolerate wet conditions. They make great additions to Rain Gardens.

This is also a wonderful plant for the front of the mixed shrub border. Its small size makes it perfect for smaller borders and beds. They'll also be helpful as facer plants at the base of "leggy" larger shrubs.

Include several Little Henry's near your vegetable garden or fruit trees. They will perform beautifully to entice pollinators for a plentiful harvest.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Give them a planting spot in full sun to full shade. The more sun they receive, the more blooms they'll produce. As well, more sun delivers a better fall color display.

They grow in both moist, wet areas and in well-drained soil conditions. Once established, can tolerate dry conditions.

We do recommend that you give it a moderate amount of water for best results. Be sure to water your Sweetspire well in late fall, as you head into winter.

If you would like, prune them after they bloom. If you notice any winter damage after a harsh winter, prune it out soon after new growth has begun.

Fertilize in early spring with a good, organic, slow-release fertilizer. Use the application rate listed on the label.

Little Henry is a useful native plant with lots of potential for the home landscape. Order now!

Adaptable

I planted 5 along side of my house where there is some shade. They are thriving, and I was surprised by their lovely red fall color. A bonus!

Hello Bret,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire! We're delighted to hear they’re thriving in your shady spot and that their vibrant red fall color came as a lovely surprise—that seasonal color is truly one of the joys of this adaptable plant. When grown in partial shade, these sweetspires often develop those rich hues, making them a fantastic choice for less sunny areas.

If you’re interested in enhancing their fall display even more, consider maintaining consistent watering during dry spells and adding a layer of mulch to protect roots while boosting soil moisture. Also, little annual pruning can help keep them healthy and encourage dense growth.

Should you have any questions about showcasing their best features or need tips on companion plants to create a beautiful understory, feel free to reach out!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Adaptable

I planted 5 along side of my house where there is some shade. They are thriving, and I was surprised by their lovely red fall color. A bonus!

Hi Bret,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with the Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire! We’re delighted to hear that they are thriving in the partial shade by your house and that you’re enjoying their vibrant red fall color—it’s truly one of the many charming bonuses of this versatile plant. If you haven’t already, a light layer of mulch around the base can help retain moisture and keep their roots cool during warmer months, which they generally appreciate. And since you have several planted, consider pruning them lightly in late winter to encourage bushier growth next season.

If you ever have questions or want tips on maximizing their beauty throughout the year, don’t hesitate to reach out. We love hearing success stories like yours!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Wonderful small flowering bush

Great smaller version of this bush that adapts from full sun to full shade. White hanging flowers in spring and summer. Fall Foliage is very pretty.

Dear Little Henry,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire! We’re delighted to hear you appreciate its versatility from full sun to full shade, as well as the charming white hanging flowers and the stunning fall foliage colors. It really is a fantastic choice for adding seasonal interest to your garden.

If you’re looking to keep your Little Henry thriving, remember it prefers well-drained soil and moderate watering, especially during dry spells. A light pruning after flowering can help maintain its shape and encourage more blooms next season. And if you ever want to learn more about care tips for your bush or explore companion plants that thrive in similar conditions, feel free to visit our blog or reach out anytime — we’re always happy to assist!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Wonderful small flowering bush

Great smaller version of this bush that adapts from full sun to full shade. White hanging flowers in spring and summer. Fall Foliage is very pretty.

Hi Little H.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire! We're delighted to hear how well this smaller flowering bush is doing in your garden, thriving from full sun to full shade. Those white hanging flowers in spring and summer truly make a stunning show, and the additional bonus of pretty fall foliage makes it a year-round delight.

If you’re looking to enhance or care for your sweetspire even more, remember that it appreciates consistently moist, well-drained soil and occasional mulching to retain moisture and keep roots cool. Pruning after flowering can help maintain its shape and encourage denser growth!

We’re thrilled your garden is flourishing with this lovely bush and are always here if you need advice on how to care for other special additions.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Bigger & better

Get the larger size. The ones I got were huge! Love them. Thanks Nature Hills!

Dear I like 'em big,

Thank you so much for sharing your exciting experience with the Little Henry® Virginia Sweetspire! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the larger size—you truly can’t beat a beautifully full shrub to brighten up your garden. For continued success, make sure to give your sweetspires plenty of well-drained soil and consistent moisture as they establish, and in return, they’ll reward you with vibrant blooms and stunning fall color year after year. If you ever want tips on pairing them with complementary plants or seasonal care, feel free to reach out!

Thanks again for choosing Nature Hills and happy growing!