Neillia affinis

Chinese neillia

Rosaceae

W China (Sichuan, Yunnan; forest margins, thickets, stream banks; 4000-10000 ft / 1200-3000 m)

Attracts Pollinators

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 6–9

Overview

Neillia affinis is a deciduous, suckering shrub reaching 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) tall with a spread of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) and a graceful, arching habit with slender, zigzag stems. Native to western China (Sichuan, Yunnan), this Rosaceae member features alternate, ovate to triangular leaves 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long with 3 shallow lobes and doubly serrate margins, medium green, on reddish-brown stems. The flowers are small, tubular, 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) long, pink, borne in dense terminal racemes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long in May-June, giving an overall soft pink effect along the arching branches. Growth rate is moderate to fast. Hardy to zone 6. Spreads by root suckers to form thickets. The arching stems with pink racemes recall Spiraea spp. but with a more refined, arching character. Uncommon in cultivation.

Native Range

Neillia affinis is native to western China—Sichuan and Yunnan provinces—in forest margins, thickets, and stream banks at 4,000-10,000 feet (1,200-3,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen, in mixed borders, or as an informal hedge at 4-5 foot (1.2-1.5 m) spacing. The arching pink racemes provide late spring interest. Spreads by suckers—useful for naturalizing but may require management in borders. Uncommon in cultivation. Not suitable for formal settings or confined spaces where suckering is problematic.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Spiraea spp. by the tubular (versus flat, open) flowers and the zigzag branching pattern. Distinguished from Stephanandra spp. (now Neillia spp.) by the pink (versus greenish-white) flowers and the less finely divided leaves. Distinguished from Physocarpus spp. by the tubular flowers in racemes (versus flat corymbs) and the non-exfoliating bark. The arching shrub with zigzag stems and dense pink tubular racemes is characteristic of Neillia spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 6'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Small tubular pink flowers 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) in dense terminal racemes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, May-June. Bloom along arching branches creates a cascading pink effect. Bloom duration is 3-4 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink; small tubular 0.3-0.5 inch in dense terminal racemes 2-4 inches; May-Jun; cascading on arching branches

Foliage Description

Medium green; alternate ovate to triangular 2-4 inches; 3 shallow lobes; doubly serrate; on reddish-brown zigzag stems

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Hardy to zone 6. Tolerates a range of soils. Spreads by root suckers—may require containment. Prune after flowering. Relatively pest- and disease-free.

Pruning

Prune immediately after flowering in June-July, as flowers form on previous year's wood. Remove 1/3 of oldest stems at ground level annually to maintain vigor and arching form. Remove unwanted suckers to control spread.

Pruning Schedule

summer

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Shrubs