Stephanandra

Stephanandra (lat. Stephanandra) is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae), which is sometimes included in the genus Neillia (Neillia).

Occurs in Western China. Reaching 8 m in height in its native range, it is an evergreen shrub resistant to industrial air pollution.

Deciduous shrubs up to 2.5-4 m tall, with thin, winding, brown, shiny, arching branches. Leaves alternate, ovate, long-acuminate at the tip, shallowly lobed or serrated at the margin, light green with ovate, serrated stipules. Branches that lie on moist ground root by themselves, turning this shrub into a "groundcover plant". Under favorable conditions Stephanandra lives 10-20 years. Flowers are bisexual, white, up to 5 mm in diameter, fragrant, in loose panicles; flowering occurs in June-July. Fruits — follicles.

Location: tolerates partial shade, but develops better in full light. Plants are planted in places protected from the wind.

Care: Stephanandra requires watering both at planting and during subsequent maintenance. In a dry summer the frequency and volume of watering increase 2-3 times. Weeding is mandatory. When weeding, loosening the soil to a depth of about 10 cm is permissible. It is recommended to mulch the root circle with peat or wood chips to a depth of 5-7 cm. For winter the base of the plant should be covered with dry leaves or peat. Winter covering is mandatory.

Propagation: by seeds and vegetatively; seeds are sown without prior stratification. Stephanandra is easily propagated by summer cuttings.