Itea ilicifolia

RHS Plant Profile
holly-leaved sweet spire

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holly-leaved sweet spire RHS
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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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Iteaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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