Henry's Garnet sweetspire is a variety of Virginia sweetspire which is native to the stream banks and swamps of the southern and eastern US including Missouri and southern Illinois. In summer it bears showy pndulous racemes of fragrant white flowers that are attractive to pollinators and hummingbirds. In fall the leaves turn brilliant shades of reddish-purple which persist into winter, giving this variety its name. When given optimal growing conditions of partial sun, and consistently rich, moist, but well-drained soils it can reach 5-6 feet in height and width.

Sweetspire can sucker aggressively, especially in optimal conditions, so unwanted suckers should be removed immediately. Although individual plants can appear untidy, when grown en masse they make an attractive informal screen and their preference for part shade makes them very suitable as an understory planting where other shrubs may not thrive. If necessary, prune in early spring.