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Itea ilicifolia

holly-leaved sweet spire

A medium-sized evergreen shrub with glossy, holly-like, broadly oval leaves to 10cm in length. Small, greenish-white flowers in drooping racemes to 30cm in length are strongly honey-scented and borne in profusion from mid summer

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green White Green
Autumn Green White Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Iteaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Itea can be deciduous shrubs, or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with small white, cream or pale green flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 9 or Pruning group 13 if wall trained

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility

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