Neillia thibetica - False spirea

The Neillia thibetica, also known as the Tibetan False Spirea, is a small, deciduous bush with a slightly weeping habit, adorned with clusters of pale pink flowers in spring. This plant has a lush green foliage and forms a beautiful bush. Native to China and Tibet, where it grows on rocky riverbanks and in thickets at medium altitudes, the Tibetan False Spirea will easily find its place in a loose hedge. Simple and graceful, it adapts to almost all climates.

The Neillia thibetica belongs to the Rosaceae family and is native to Tibet and southwestern China. This bush has a moderate to fast growth rate and reaches an adult size of about 2m in all directions. It has an arched and slightly weeping habit. In May and June, pale pink tubular flowers appear at the ends of the branches in clusters. They are followed by small fruits with a crown of stamens around the edges. The elegant foliage resembles that of raspberries and blackberries: the long triangular and pointed leaves are heavily dentate, a vibrant green colour, and can reach up to 10cm in length. They turn yellow in autumn. The bare, reddish-brown, zigzagging branches remain decorative in winter.

Plant this Tibetan False Spirea in any soil that is not too dry in summer or too wet in winter. This bush thrives in partial shade or full sun, but not in scorching exposure. Plant it in a loose hedge or in shrub beds. You can mix it with botanical roses or old-fashioned roses. It will also complement the scene with the double-flowered blackberry (Rubus spectabilis 'Olympic double'), a cousin with similar requirements, as well as dwarf lilacs. Its foliage will protect the spring growth of robust lilies, such as Lilium regale, L. henryi, and L. candidum.