Itea ilicifolia, the holly-leaved sweet spire, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iteaceae, native to western China. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 3–5 m (10–16 ft) tall by 3 m (10 ft) broad, with glossy holly-like leaves and fragrant drooping racemes of greenish-white flowers, 30 cm (12 in) long, in summer and autumn.[1] It is hardy, though young plants require protection from dry winds.
| Itea ilicifolia | |
|---|---|
| |
| I. ilicifolia, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Iteaceae |
| Genus: | Itea |
| Species: | I. ilicifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Itea ilicifolia | |
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2][3]
References
edit- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Itea ilicifolia". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 56. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
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