Itea chinensis

• BOTANICAL NAME: Itea chinensis
• PRONUNCIATION: i-TEA-a chi-NEN-sis
• COMMON NAME: Chinese Sweetspire
• FAMILY: Iteaceae
• NATIVITY: China
• GROWTH HABIT: Low arching shrub.
• SIZE: The plant at the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens is 3' tall after 3 years. I expect the plant may reach 6' and as broad.
• HARDINESS: Zone 7 - 9, has withstood 0°F with no injury in a sheltered site.
• CULTURE: Sun to partial shade with adequate moisture. Does not appear to be fussy.
• LANDSCAPE USE: Use in groups, as a mass for the evergreen foliage or in naturalistic settings.
• FOLIAGE: Alternate, oblong to obovate, pronouncedly serrate, apex mucronate,
  base obtuse, 3 - 5" long, leathery. Leaves dark green above, lighter beneath.
  Petioles about 1/2 ".
• BUDS: Small , about 1/32", imbricately scaled with 6 scales, red with ciliate margin.
• BARK: Young stems green, glabrous, maturing gray.
• FLOWERS: The plant at the botanic gardens has not flowered, I have not found
  a description of the flowers. Assume them to be small, white and arranged in racemes.
• FRUIT: Brown capsule.
• PROPAGATION: Seed, cuttings.
• PESTS: None serious.
• CULTIVARS: