Monday, October 8, 2012

Something New... in a "backyard nursery"

Just waiting to be planted this coming Spring . . . Check out these new plants!
  
After all, both my next-door-neighbor-friend and I felt the need to perk ourselves up after the immense, behemoth machinery left our backyards...

Sweetspire "Little Henry"
Itea virginica 'Sprich'

I'm really looking forward to enjoying these little fellows next year.  The tag said they thrive in full sun to full shade.  Guess I can satisfy those conditions!  :-)

It's described as an excellent companion to Hosta and other large-leafed plants.  Check!

Enjoys evenly moist to wet soils... (will have to water periodically!) and prefers acidic soils.  I can also handle this!

Late Spring/Early Summer brings prolific white blossoms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.  Foliage color is a rich green that turns orange- to burgandy-red in the Fall.  Oh, Yes!!

'Little Henry' will grow 2-3 feet tall and 3 feet wide.  Sounds like a sweet butterball!

It is hardy in Zone 5 (yes!)  and is the recipient of the Ohio Nursery Association Plant Selection Award.  Good!

If it needs to be pruned at all, it should be done right after it finishes blooming.   Guess I can handle that, too.

Over-all, what do YOU think?   

10 comments:

Northern Shade said...

It looks like you have a good start to some choices for your new bed. Attracting butterflies and hummingbirds is a big plus, as is good fall colour. Right now I have been wishing that I had more fall colour in my garden, but I've been busy planting bulbs for spring colour.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi, Northern! I just received a shipment of bulbs, too. I hoe to get tem planted soon. :-)

Shady Gardener said...

I hope to get them planted soon!

GRACE PETERSON said...

I love this shrub and I think it will be beautiful in that spot. And good luck getting the bulbs planted too.

Thank you for your encouraging comments on my blog. They make me smile.

Rosemary said...

I have had that shrub and loved it. You will enjoy the neat mound it makes.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi, Grace. Are you occasionally posting photos of your yard and gardens? I'm glad you enjoy having sweet spire. :-)


Thanks, Rosemary! I'm happy to hear you like this shrub. Do you have it in sun?

Casa Mariposa said...

I grow sweetspire 'Little Henry' and it's a keeper! If it's moist enough it will spread by rhizomes. It needs to be pruned after it blooms or you won't have many flowers the next spring. Tough, easy plants. Great choice! :o)

troutbirder said...

Glad to read you were close by along the Mississippi. I always consider NE Iowa part of what we call "Bluff Country", and regard it as one of the most beautiful area in the whole country....:)

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Casa!! Thanks for the pruning hint - I'll pass it to my neighbor. :-)

troutbirder, I'm with you. It's just beautiful and I wish we'd drive there more often!

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