- Botanical name: Itea illicifolia
- Common name: Holly-leaved sweet spire
- Family: Iteaceae
- Plant Type: Shrub, Evergreen
Yellow
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Prefers rich soil
- Scented flowers
Commonly known as holly-leaved sweet spire or Virginian willow, Itea illicifolia is an evergreen shrub native to western China.
It’s predominantly grown for its dramatic, fragrant racemes of flowers that appear from mid- to late summer and attract pollinating insects. It also makes a fantastic wall shrub, so is good for clothing a bare wall in colour all year, though it can also be grown as a free-standing shrub.
For best results, grow Itea illicifolia in full sun or partial shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Ideally provide it with some shelter, especially when young, as it may suffer if grown in a windy spot. Itea illicifolia holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
How to grow Itea illicifolia
-
Plant size
5m height
3m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do not Take cuttings in June |
J
Do not Take cuttings in July |
A
Do Take cuttings in August |
S
Do Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
Itea illicifolia and wildlife
Itea illicifolia is known for attracting bees and beneficial insects. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Itea illicifolia poisonous?
Itea illicifolia has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Itea illicifolia
