A genus of 10 species of deciduous shrubs that are native to Asia from the eastern Himalayan mountains south into the Malay Peninsula. They are somewhat similar to Physocarpus in appearance and hold huge potential for landscape use whether in private gardens or commmercial massing.
These Spirea relatives have foliage which turns to yellow during autumn and zig-zag twigs. The foliage tends to emerge early during spring.
They thrive in full sun to partial shade on just about any moist well drained soil. They are not prone to insect pests or disease. The only pruning that is required is to cut out some of the older stems that no longer have vigor at the base. This type of pruning is similar to which is done to Hydrangea macrophylla and it's cultivars. On Neillia's it is typically done immediately after blooming. Propagation is from cuttings taken during summer, seed or by transplanting rooted suckers during autumn.
* photos taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC
* photo taken on Apr 24 2016 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC
Neillia affinis
A suckering, dense, gracefully arching deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 6 feet, that is native to western China.
The toothed or lightly-lobed, finely-tapered, ovate leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches in size. The foliage is bronzr at first, turning to glossy mid-green. The leaves often turn to deep red during autumn.
Up to 10 deep pink flowers, up to 0.2 inches long, are borne on nodding racemes, up to 3.2 inches in length, during late spring.
The twigs and the attractively peeling bark are reddish-brown.
Hardy zones 4b to 9, reported as fully hardy in Ottawa, Ontario.
Neillia sinensis ( Chinese Neillia )
A vigorous, dense, arching, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 13 x 14 ( rarely over 6 x 8 ) feet, that is native to central China. This beautiful, hardy shrub deserves much wider use in North America. It makes a great informal screen.
The lobed and toothed, finely-tapered, ovate leaves are up to 5 x 2.5 inches in size. The foliage is purplish-bronze at first, turning to glossy deep green. The leaves are alternately arranged.
The pink, bell-shaped flowers, up to 0.3 inches wide, are borne 12 to 20 on nodding racemes up to 3.5 inches in length, during late spring.
The brown bark is smooth on younger stems, exfoliated on older stems.
Hardy zones 4 to 7.
* photo taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC
Neillia tibetica ( Tibetan Neillia )
A fast growing, arching, large, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 10 x 13 feet, that is native to western China.
The deeply-veined, toothed, ovate leaves are up to 4 x 2.5 inches in size. The foliage is downy below.
The foliage is purplish-bronze at first.
The bright pink, bell-shaped flowers, up to 0.2 inches wide, are borne on slender racemes, up to 6 inches in length, over a long season during early summer. Up to 60 flowers may be borne on a single raceme.
The brown bark is smooth on younger stems, exfoliated on older stems.
Hardy zones 5 to 10.
Neillia uekii ( Korean Neillia )
A suckering, dense, arching, deciduous, medium-sized shrub, reaching a maximum size of 10 x 6.5 ( rarely over 5 ) feet, that is native to southeast Liaoning Province in northeast China as well as Korea. This very handsome shrub resembles Stephanandra in appearance and has great landscape potential.
The double-toothed, ovate or elliptical leaves are up to 2.4 x 1.6 inches in size. The foliage is bright green, turning to deep golden-yellow during autumn.
The pure white flowers, up to 0.2 inches long, are borne on racemes up to 3.5 inches in length.
Hardy zones 4 to 7.
