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ITEA ilicifolia
Commonly known as Holly-leaf sweetspire
Glossy dark green holly-like leaves and catkin-like yellowish green fragrant flowers
Further Reading....
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Evergreenoval to elliptic, spiny-toothed leaves to 10cm (4in) long.
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YellowYellowish green -
HeightTo 5m (16ft) -
Spread3m (10ft)
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Tall ShrubErect, then spreading, shrub with arching shoots
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Hardy - cold winterHardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F) -
Full sunIn moist soil. Shelter from cold winds. -
Partial shade
ITEA ilicifolia
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Additional Features
Good to knowGood against a warm, sunny wall.
Pests & DiseasesNone
Place of originWestern ChinaResistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus. -
Flower ShapeRacemesPendent, catkin-like racemes to 30cm (12in) long of small flowers 7mm (¼in) across
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HardinessFully hardy
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Leaf margin
Dentate(see photos above) -
Leaf shape
Elliptic
(see photos above) -
Pruning group
Pruning group 6Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs or climbers that need little to no pruning.
Action: Trim back shoots that spoil symmetry and to fit available space.
When: Annually after flowering if on previous year's growth, or in later Winter or Spring if flowering on current year's growth, or as requires.
RHS group 9 & 11
Pruning group 8Suitable for: Wall trained shrubs and less vigorous climbers.
Action: For climbers 'spur prune' by cutting back 3-4 buds of the permanent framework. For wall trained shrubs cut back flowered shoots to within 2-4 buds of permanent framework.
When: Annually after flowers if on previous year's growth, or in late Winter or Spring if on current year's growth.
RHS group 12 & 13If wall-trained -
Scented PlantsScented flowersHoney-scented.
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Seasonal InterestAutumnSummer
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Soil ConditionsFertile moist well-drained soil
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
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Nov
Dec
Itea Growing Guide
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to 5m (16ft)
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3m (10ft) |
Useful extras...
Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50
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