Itea ilicifolia

Itea ilicifolia flower buds (18/06/2011, London)

Position: Flourishes in full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist and well drained.

Flowering period: Summer and autumn.

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 2.5m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Iteaceae

Itea ilicifolia is an evergreen shrub with an arching habit. Its leaves are glossy, sharply toothed and dark green in colour. In late summer and early autumn it bears catkin-like racemes of small greenish fragrant flowers.

Itea ilicifolia is, commonly known as Holly-Leaved Sweet Spire, is native to western China. It was introduced by Augustine Henry from Yichang on the Yangtze in central China and was presented to Lord Kesteven who flowered it first in 1895.

The etymological root of the binomial name Itea is derived from the ancient Greek name for the Willow plant. Ilicifolia is a Latinised word alluding to its foliage being similar in appearance to that of the members of the Ilex genus.

Itea ilicifolia (18/06/2011, London)

Itea ilicifolia may be useful to the landscape architect in erosion control  plant. It also forms an attractive informal hedge.

Itea ilicifolia will tolerate almost any soil conditions; it will be happy in neutral, acid or alkaline pH levels, in loam, clay, chalk or sand based soils but will prefer a west or south facing aspect in a sheltered location.

Ecologically, Itea ilicifolia will attract pollinating insects such as butterflies and honey bees and although it is not native to this continent it will cater to a wide range of insects.

Itea ilicifolia requires little to no maintenance. Dead or damaged material may be removed in mid spring.