Little henry sweetspire is an deciduous, perennial plant that typically grows to 3-6 tall and occurs in moist woods, floodplain forests, and along streams and swamps in the southeastern U.S. from Virginia to Texas. It is sometimes commonly called sweet spire, deerberry, or wax myrtle. This plant is noted for its multi-stemmed, upright growth habit and small, ovate to oblong, toothed, dark green leaves (to 2.5 long). Greenish-white flowers bloom in upright, spikes (to 8 long) in late spring. Flowers are followed by glossy, dark blue fruits (drupes to 0.5 long) which ripen in late summer and are attractive to birds.
Related plant:
Photinia Little Red Robin
Related plant:
Little Devil Ninebark
About soil condition, the Little Henry sweetspire prefers moist to wet soils that are acidic. It also does well in average to poor soils. This shrub is not particular about soil type or pH. It is a good choice for sites that are too wet for other shrubs.
Like the other perennials, Little Henry sweetspire prefers full sun to partial shade. It will bloom more profusely in full sun, but it will still do well in shady areas. It is a good plant for shady areas because it does not require a lot of sun to bloom.
The temperature was warm and humid. Perfect weather for Little Henry Sweetspire to spend the day outside in his backyard. He loved to sit in his rocking chair and watch the birds and butterflies as they flitted from flower to flower.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60-70%. Plant can tolerate short periods of time with slightly higher or lower humidity, but prolonged periods outside of this range can result in leaf drop or other problems.
For the fertilizer, this family of plant prefers a organic slow release type applied in early spring. A good rule of thumb is to apply 1/4 to 1/2 cup for each plant. Be sure to scratch it into the top 1-2 inches of soil around the plant. For the root system, they have a very dense and shallow root system. Be sure to water slowly and deeply around the base of the plant.
Pruning is a critical step in the care of your Little Henry Sweetspire. Not only does it keep the plant healthy, but it also encourages new growth. When pruning, be sure to cut back to a healthy bud or branch. This will encourage new growth and keep your plant looking its best.
Propagation : Little Henry Sweetspire can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or division. To propagate by seed, sow the seeds in a sterile seed-starting mix in late winter or early spring. To propagate by cuttings, take 4-6 inch cuttings from new growth in late spring or early summer, and root the cuttings in a sterile rooting medium. To propagate by division, dig up the clumps in early spring or fall, and divide the roots into 2-3 inch pieces.
Usually, the plant growth rate occurs during the spring when the plant is emerging from dormancy. However, growth continues throughout the summer and fall as long as there is adequate moisture. The growth rate is determined by many factors including the plant species, amount of sunlight, and temperature.
Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot. These can all be controlled with a fungicide. If you see any of these problems on your plant, be sure to treat it immediately.
Source:
Sweetspire - Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program
JC Raulston Arboretum - Photographs of Little Henry Dwarf
Virginia Sweetspire | North Carolina Cooperative Extension
