'Little Henry' is a cultivar in the Iteaceae family. It is a dwarf version of the native Itea virginica that has more superior flowers than its species. Its fall color is also improved. 'Little Henry' grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and will do well in full sun to partial shade. The best fall color is in full sun. Plant in acidic, moist, fertile soil for best results, but it is adaptable to other conditions, such as heavy clay and poorly drained soils. As it blooms on old wood, pruning should be accomplished soon after flowering. In the southern portion of its growing zone, this plant may be semi-evergreen. It can spread over time by root suckers that can be pruned off if desired. Water should be provided during droughts or very dry conditions. From late spring to early summer, the plant will be covered with a blanket of creamy-white 4" spires of blooms that droop on the arching branches. The flowers open starting at the base, extending towards the tip. Fall color is yellow, orange and reds giving it three seasons of interest. Plant in groups or borders of pollinator, butterfly or rain garden or along bogs streams and ponds. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheItea virginica 'Henry' s Garnet'Spiraea japonica Limemound® 'Monhub'Symphoricarpos albus
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Dense; Erect; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The foliage will provide a beautiful fall display of colors.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Panicle; Raceme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The lightly fragrant, creamy-white flowers bloom in late spring into early summer on 3-6" long racemes or panicles.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Stem color
Purple/Lavender
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Butterflies, bees and moths are attracted to the blooms. Some small wildlife may use this plant for cover.