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Chinese Sweetspire Itea chinensis

Phonetic Spelling
eye-TEE-ah chi-NEN-sis
Description

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:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#white flowers#spring flowers#naturalizes#evergreen shrub#small group plantings#wet soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#white flowers#spring flowers#naturalizes#evergreen shrub#small group plantings#wet soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#perennial
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Pendulous flowers
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    glabrous
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Design Feature:
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil