Chinese Sweetspire Itea chinensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- eye-TEE-ah chi-NEN-sis
- Description
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Itea is a multi-branched, low arching shrub that is semi-evergreen. It can reach 6' - 10' tall by 6' wide and is effective in group plantings for naturalization. It tolerates wet planting sites and full sun to partial shade. Flowers are pendulous, draping racemes of small white blooms in spring.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Itea
- Species:
- chinensis
- Family:
- Iteaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Vietnam and Myanmar
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pendulous flowers
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Glossy dark green leaves.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- glabrous
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
