About
Itea ilicifolia, the holly-leaved sweet spire, is a medium-sized evergreen shrub with glossy, holly-like, broadly oval leaves to 10 cm. Small, greenish-white flowers in drooping, honey-scented racemes to 30 cm long are borne in profusion from midsummer. A beautiful and ornamental evergreen wall shrub for a sheltered, sunny or partly shaded position.
About the genus
Itea are deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees with simple, alternate leaves and small, white, cream or pale-green flowers in drooping racemes or spikes, often fragrant. Grown as ornamental garden shrubs in sunny or partly shaded positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
Native toChina
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade
PruningPruning group 9 or Pruning group 13 if wall trained
PropagationPropagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility