Practical
Plants

Itea japonica

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Itea genus in the family Escalloniaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Itea
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - cooked[1][3].

Plant part
Leaves

Environment

Range
E. Asia - C. and S. Japan.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in late winter in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of soft stem tips, late spring in a frame. They must be kept moist[5]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel, July/August in a sandy compost in a frame. Overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter. Cuttings of mature wood, late winter in a cold frame[5]. Division in early spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most fertile soils in sun or shade[4]. This plant has recently been introduced to Kew (1990), its hardiness is not yet known[2]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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