Topic: Itea ilicifolia

[selwyn-smith]

I impulse bought at the Hampton Court Flower  show an Itea ilicifolia, I can't find out too much about it , I am wondering if it has to be grown against a wall or not. If anyone can spread  a little light in the matter I would be grateful. All around the show people kept asking what it was and where I got it. It really is quite striking.

[Palustris]

It is described as a lax evergreen holly like shrub of up to 3 m, flowering with greenish white flowers in late Summer. Evergreen iteas will grow in half shade to full sun (as long as the soil is not too dry). In cold areas it is best given a sheltered site.

[beejay]

I've planted them in a couple of gardens aginst trellises, so against a wall would be fine as long as you have something to tie it to as it is trained. Try to train it into a fan type of shape. After it has flowered I cut back any outward facing shoots that are too long. I do think they look lovely. Is that any help?

[selwyn-smith]

Thankyou both
Have to think of somewhere to put it now!

[DEB63]

Hi am new well i lurk a lot! But i seen a mention of my fav plant. I bought mine at haskins about two weeks ago. On the label it says its a shrub and doesent mention anything about training it or supporting it, so i really hope mine will be ok!.PS i am really sorry if the photo is too big i did try to resize it but im dont real[img width= height= alt=Image hosted by Photobucket.com]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/burts/S2400005.jpg[/img]ly know what i am doing.

[DEB63]

I dont know what happenened my picture was a decent size now its not i feel a right jerk!!

[beejay]

Deb, don't feel a jerk. I have never attempted to post a photo. Anyway, don't worry about your Itea, it is a shrub, but like many, can be trained to grow against a wall/ trellis in which case you need to be able to tie it in order to train it as you want it to go.

[Robert_Brenchley]

About 5-600 pixels across is a good size for a pic, if the vertical dimension is less than this. Don't make it more than about 700 across, or 500 vertically or the people with 800x600 screens won't see it properly.