Itea: planting, pruning and care

Description and Botany

The genus Itea, closely related to the genus Clethra, comprises between 10 and 17 species depending on the classifications. These trees and bushes, with either deciduous or evergreen foliage, are primarily native to temperate and tropical Asia. However, the most common species in our gardens comes from the eastern United States: Itea virginica.

Itea are part of the family Iteaceae in the APGIII phylogenetic classification (2009) but are sometimes found in the families Escalloniaceae, Grossulariaceae, or Saxifragaceae.

The Virginia Itea has an upright and tapered habit, growing between 1.5 m and 2 m tall and 1.2 to 1.5 m wide, with a tendency to sucker without becoming invasive. Its cultivars have a more compact or even dwarf growth. The holly-leaved Itea species is much more vigorous, with a spread of 3 to 5 m and a height of 2 to 3 m.

In Itea, the simple, alternate leaves are more or less dentate and glossy. A rather soft green in the species virginiana, the elliptical and pointed lamina, with crenate or dentate edges, takes on an extraordinary nuanced coloration of pink and then mahogany red in autumn. It drops late in early winter, allowing its red branches to be admired.

The evergreen leaves of Itea ilicifolia or yunnanensis are dentate but not very prickly, dark green and glossy on the top, pale green underneath, measuring 5 to 10 cm long, slightly longer in yunnanensis.

The inflorescences exude a honey or jasmine fragrance from July until October depending on the species. The tiny flowers are gathered in fine clusters that are more or less pendulous, with lengths varying from 6 cm (I. virginiana) to 30-50 cm for the most spectacular species (I. ilicifolia), with intermediate values of 15 to 18 cm in the cultivar Henry’s Garnet and I. yunannensis, and 25 cm for Itea virginica ‘Long Spire’. Each flower has 5 persistent sepals and 5 slender pure white petals, with 5 stamens and 1 pistil in the centre. The long greenish aments of ilicifolia make it a truly remarkable subject in September if placed in a sheltered spot against a sunny wall. Its flowering branches are highly sought after for floral arrangements. The flowering attracts both bees and butterflies, as well as hummingbirds in their native habitat.

The brown capsules contain elongated dark seeds.

The name Itea comes from the Greek meaning “willow” due to the resemblance of some species to willows. Virginica means “from Virginia” and ilicifolia means “holly-leaved”.

Itea virginica: flowers and foliage with the beautiful autumn colours of the variety ‘Henry’s Garnet’

The main varieties of Itea

Itea virginica Henrys Garnet

Deciduous bush of 1.80 m in all directions with generous, elliptical, light green leaves, turning pink in summer and deep red in autumn. Clusters of 18 cm, with a jasmine scent, in July-August. Requires fresh soil, without excess lime. Tolerates -20°C.

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 2 m

See the product sheet

Itea virginica Little Henry

Dwarf version of Henry’s Garnet, with narrower, ochre-purple leaves in autumn and equally fragrant flowering. Ideal for filling a large pot or for placing in a small garden.

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Itea ilicifolia

Its purple stems bear foliage that particularly resembles holly, dense, evergreen, 5 to 10 cm long, dentate but not very prickly, dark green and glossy on top, pale green underneath, with some tufts of hair on the veins. Its melliferous flowering forms very long greenish chains, highly fragrant. Tolerates drought once established and frosts of around -15°C in well-drained soil.

• Flowering time September, October
• Height at maturity 1,80 m

See the product sheet

Planting

Where to plant Itea?

Iteas thrive in the mild climates of the Atlantic or Mediterranean coast. They grow in cool, even clayey soils but do not like excessive limestone. They can be planted alongside plants suited to heather soil. Plant them in partial shade or even full sun, provided the soil remains cool.

The evergreen Itea (Itea ilicifolia) is less demanding regarding soil moisture once it has matured. Reserve a non-scorching location for young plants, in deep, cool, and rich soil. Subsequently, full sun and drought are well tolerated. This is why it benefits from being planted in the olive zone, near a water feature like a weeping willow, or within a free-standing hedge.

When to plant?

It is preferable to plant iteas in autumn so that they do not suffer from drought during the following summer.

How to plant?

In regions with harsh climates, place Itea ilicifolia supported or trained against a well-exposed wall to benefit from its protection.

• Soak the root ball in a bucket of water to thoroughly moisten it.
• Dig a hole three times wider than the root ball and add turf, potting soil, and sand if the soil is too compact.
• Place the plant in the planting hole.
• Replace the soil and lightly firm it down.
• Generously mulch with ferns or pine needles if the soil is calcareous.
• Water.

Itea virginica

Pruning and care

To prevent Virginia Itea from spreading its suckers too much, do not provide any additional fertiliser. However, pot planting of the dwarf form Little Henry requires regular fertilisation.

Protect the species ilicifolia with winter fleece and a good mulch of dead leaves at the base during its early years if the winter is harsh.

Pruning of Itea

Pruning is not really obligatory. However, it can be done lightly at the end of winter on the species ilicifolia. For virginica, simply remove the oldest branches and shorten the shoots by half at most. Remove any excessively long or poorly placed stems.

There are no known pests on Itea.

→ Learn more about pruning Itea in our tutorial!

Propagation

The simplest method of multiplying Itea is to take suckers in autumn due to its tendency to sucker, but cuttings can also be made in summer. Take heel cuttings with semi-lignified wood for the species virginiana and completely lignified wood for the evergreens. For the latter, flowering only occurs after 2 years.

Propagation by Cuttings

Prepare a deep pot by filling it with a mixture of potting soil and sand.

• Take shoots about 10 cm long, with or without a heel.
• Remove the leaves near the base of the cutting.
• Insert them into the soil for 2/3 of their length, ensuring they do not touch each other.
• Gently firm the soil around them to eliminate air pockets and ensure good contact between the potting soil and the cutting.
• Place them in a humid environment in the shade, for example, by covering them with a cut transparent plastic bottle.
• In autumn, separate the rooted cuttings and plant them in buckets, keeping them under a frame until spring.
• Plant your plants in spring in the open ground.

Uses and associations

Virginia Itea has a slow growth that is well-suited for enlivening clear understoreys or the base of large deciduous trees with deep roots like oaks and maples. A light, sandy, and fairly moist soil is ideal. Its foliage turns red until December before leaving its red branches to illuminate the understorey. Itea also pairs perfectly with heather soil beds alongside Pieris, hydrangeas, Japanese maples, and more.

The Anglo-Saxon countries are fond of Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’, which is planted en masse around water features such as small ponds and lakes. It also serves to stabilise banks and damp slopes.

An example of pairing on a damp bank: Ligularia przewalskii and Epilobium angustifolium ‘Album’, Osmunda regalis (photo Rhian), Itea virginica, Rodgersia aesculifolia ‘Irish Bronze’

You can thus create a naturalistic, monochrome tableau to anchor and highlight Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’. Plant a backdrop favouring plants with graphic foliage from wet environments such as Gunnera manicata with its giant leaves, Rodgersia, Ligularia, Darmera, the striate and vertical stems of an Equisetum (horsetail), or the large fronds of royal fern, all of which tend to turn purple with the cold. Then, install a vibrant green helxine carpet in the foreground.

Little Henry Virginia Itea, quite hardy, can also be grown in a pot, and will add a touch of elegance with its pendulous fragrant spikes within a north or east-facing terrace or patio. Don’t hesitate to plant it near a living or passing area to enjoy its delicate jasmine-like fragrance!

Itea ilicifolia takes up a lot of space and deserves to be showcased, even trained against a well-exposed wall, sheltered from cold northern or eastern winds. It thrives in the Mediterranean or Atlantic coastal climate as its leathery foliage withstands drought well.