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.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Native alternativesItea virginicaItea virginica 'Henry' s Garnet'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Glossy dark green leaves.
Flower color
White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Pendulous flowers
Bloom time
Spring
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
glabrous
Stem color
Gray/Silver
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Vietnam and Myanmar
Play value
Attractive Flowers
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area
Design feature
Small groups
Garden tags
#evergreen #white flowers #spring flowers #naturalizes #evergreen shrub #full sun tolerant #partial shade tolerant #wet soils tolerant #perennial #small groups