BlueBell Arboretum & Nursery

Mail order trees, shrubs, conifers and woody climbers

Description

An evergreen shrub native to Western China, Itea ilicifolia has dark green, glossy, holly-like leaves and long, elegant, catkin-like, greenish-white flowers with a pleasing scent in mid-summer. Rather lax in habit, this delightful shrub is most often grown and trained against a wall where the reflected heat encourages more flowers and better growth, although in warmer parts of the U.K., Itea ilicifolia grows to be a striking standalone plant.

Supplied Size: 3L containers (small plants)

Features

• Common name: Holly-leaf Sweetspire
• Position: Warm in full sun or partial shade.
• Soil: Well drained, fertile soil.
• Hardiness: Reasonably hardy. Itea ilicifolia appreciates shelter from strong winter winds.
• Flowering Period: July - August.
• Flower Colour: Greenish-white
• Rate of Growth: Very slow until established then moderate.
• Habit: Eventually a large, branching shrub.
• Height: 4 m (13 ft).
• Spread: 2.5 m (8 ft).
• Notes: In our experience, the best Itea ilicifolia are often seen growing against warm, sunny, south or south-west facing walls or fences.