Holly-leaved sweetspire

Holly-leaved sweetspire: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Evergreen, arching shrub 2–3 m high and wide; against a wall it can grow taller.

Leaves

Leathery, glossy dark green, 5–10 cm long, with a toothed, slightly spiny edge like holly.

Flowers

Hanging tails 15–30 cm long made up of small greenish-yellow flowers, in July and August.

Scent

The flowers give off a soft honey scent, especially on warm days.

Fruit

Small dry capsules follow the flowers. They have little ornamental value.

Flowering: July–August · Plants: April–May · Pruning: April and September

Why grow it?

• Evergreen: the glossy, holly-like foliage gives the garden structure even in winter.
• Long, hanging flower tails in July–August, when many shrubs have finished flowering.
• The flowers smell of honey and attract bees and other insects.
• Lovely trained against a warm wall or as a free-standing shrub in a sheltered corner.
• Low maintenance: a little pruning and a good position are enough.

Holly-leaved sweetspire: where does it grow best?

• Sun to partial shade; you get the best flowering in a warm, sunny spot, preferably against a south- or west-facing wall.
• Humus-rich, well-drained soil: sand, loam or clay, acid to chalky, moist but not waterlogged.
• Sheltered from cold east winds and winter winds, which can scorch or brown the leaves.
• Allow 2–3 m of space per plant; as wall shrubs you can plant them about 1.5–2 m apart.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Normal

Size

3 m tall, 3 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -15 °C)

Goes well with

• Japanese anemone: Flowers from August in pink or white at the foot of the shrub.
• Lady’s mantle: A soft, yellow-green edging that suits the dark foliage.
• Climbing rose: Trained together against a warm wall, they give a long flowering season.
• Hydrangea: Flowers in the same summer months and likes a similar sheltered spot.

Holly-leaved sweetspire: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May.

1. Plant in April–May, after the last hard frosts, so the shrub can root before winter.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and mix the excavated soil with compost; add a little sand in heavy clay.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot and, against a wall, about 30–40 cm from the wall, with the root ball tilted slightly towards it.
4. Water thoroughly straight away, even if it is raining, and tie the branches to wires against a wall.
5. Spread a 5 cm layer of leaf mould or bark mulch around the plant, keeping it clear of the stem.

Care

Water

In the first and second year, give a good soaking once a week in dry weather. Later, only during long dry spells.

Feeding

In spring, a little compost or organic fertiliser for shrubs.

Mulching

A layer of mulch keeps the soil moist in summer and protects the roots from frost in winter.

Training

Against a wall, tie new branches to wires or a trellis, otherwise they grow away from the wall.

Winter protection

In the first winters, put leaves or straw around the base; in hard frost you can wrap the top in horticultural fleece.

Tip: Plant it against a sunny, sheltered wall and put a thick layer of leaves around the base in the first winters: that way it will survive even hard frosts.

Holly-leaved sweetspire: when to prune it?

Pruning months: April and September.

When: In April, when you can see which branches were damaged by frost. Wall-trained shrubs can be trimmed lightly again after flowering, in September.

How:

• Cut frozen or dead branches back to healthy, green wood.
• Remove crossing or overcrowded branches to let light into the shrub.
• For a wall shrub: remove branches growing away from the wall and tie in the rest.
• Do not prune too hard in one go; spread a heavy pruning over two years.

Caution: Do not prune in late autumn or winter: young shoots that sprout after pruning are easily killed by frost.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Semi-ripe cuttings

In July–August: take 8–10 cm cuttings from firm shoots, remove the lower leaves and insert them in sandy compost under plastic or in a propagator. Rooting takes a few weeks.

Layering

In spring, bend a low, flexible branch down to the soil and pin it in place. After a year you can sever it.

Holly-leaved sweetspire: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −15 °C: protect young plants.

• Hardy to about −15 °C. In hard winters the leaves may turn brown or branches may die back.
• Plant it against a sheltered, sunny wall and put a thick layer of leaves or mulch around the base.
• Wrap young plants in horticultural fleece in hard frost.
• Only cut away frozen branches in April: the shrub often regrows from the base.

Diseases and pests

• Frost damage: Brown or fallen leaves after a hard winter or cold wind. Choose a sheltered spot, mulch the base and cut frozen branches back in April.
• Yellow leaves: Usually caused by soil that is too wet or compacted. Improve drainage with compost and a little sand, and do not overwater.
• Aphids: Small green aphids on young shoots in spring. Spray them off with water or let ladybirds deal with them.
• Drought stress: Drooping or curling leaves in long dry spells, especially on young plants. Water generously and mulch the soil.

Through the year

• March: Give compost or organic fertiliser. Leave winter protection in place if night frosts are forecast.
• April: Plant. Cut away frozen branches and apply mulch.
• May: Plant. Water young plants in dry weather.
• June: Tie in the branches of wall shrubs. Water in dry weather.
• July: Flowering begins: long, honey-scented tails.
• August: Flowering. Take semi-ripe cuttings.
• September: After flowering, trim wall shrubs lightly.
• October: Apply mulch to protect the roots.
• November: Put leaves or straw around the base; protect young plants.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Did you know?

• The species name ilicifolia means ‘with holly leaves’, but the plant is not related to holly.
• The genus name Itea is the Greek word for willow.
• The flower tails can reach 30 cm in length and smell of honey.