June Plant of the Month: Neillia sinensis – Chinese Neillia 

An uncommon shrub in the residential landscape, Neillia sinensis deserves a prominent place where its refined foliage and showy pink flowers can be seen up close.

The pink flowers appear in 1 to 2 1⁄2” long racemes in late May on long arching branches and are attractive to hummingbirds.

Typically reaching a mature size of 5 to 6’ tall and wide, this shrub has a roundish habit and is an easy care, trouble-free plant, preferring well drained soils, and either part shade or full sun conditions.

Flowers are produced on old wood so it’s best to prune immediately after flowering.

As the plant matures with age, the stems develop an attractive brown exfoliating bark, a nice addition to the winter landscape.

This plant is suitable as a specimen in a mixed border, or for mass plantings. Hardy to zone