Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prune immediately after flowering. Thin out old stems as needed. Remove suckers to prevent unwanted colonial spread. May not be reliably winter hardy throughout USDA Zone 5.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Neillia affinis is native to western China, It is a rounded, suckering, deciduous shrub that typically grows 3-6’ tall and as wide. It is a member of the rose family, closely resembling Spiraea. Alternate, lobed, ovate to ovate-oblong leaves (2-4” long) have heart-shaped bases. Foliage may turn attractive shades of dark red in autumn. Pink campanulate flowers in 1-3” long racemes bloom in late spring to early summer.
Genus name honors Patrick Neill (1776-1851), printer and Scottish horticulturist and naturalist, of Edinburgh, Secretary of the Caledonian Horticultural Society.
Specific epithet means resembling or similar to, in this case to Spiraea.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Shrub borders. Woodland margins and open woodland areas.