About
Evergreen shrub or small tree about 1.5-7m tall, usually multi-stemmed, with ascending branches and greyish-green, papery leaves, white-woolly beneath, to 30cm long. Creamy-white flowers in dense, cylindrical spikes to 15cm long, produced from late autumn to early spring, followed by brown fruits. Good nectar source for birds, butterflies and bees.
About the genus
A genus of just one species of evergreen flowering shrubs or small trees, with toothed, green foliage and tall spikes of white to pale pink or greenish-yellow flowers in summer to autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens
Native toChina, Indochina
Care notes
CultivationIn milder and frost-free areas, grow in well-drained soil, in full sun in a warm, dry position such as a courtyard or against a south-facing or west-facing wall; in frost-prone areas, grow in a cool or temperate greenhouse, in a mix of peat-free potting compost and grit, in full light and low humidity. Water moderately during the growing season and sparingly in winter
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free