Laceshrub (Neillia incisa) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Laceshrub is an East Asian shrub grown in U.S. gardens. Its arching stems bear deeply toothed leaves and loose clusters of tiny yellowish-white flowers in early summer. It is often sold as cutleaf stephanandra.

Appearance

Appearance: A mature plant is usually 4–7 ft (1.2–2.1 m) tall and 4–9 ft (1.2–2.7 m) wide, with arching, spreading stems.
Leaves: The small, alternate leaves are broadly egg-shaped to triangular, deeply toothed, and often turn orange, red, or purple in fall.
Flowers: Loose of small yellowish-white flowers appear in early summer.
Fruit: The small brown fruits mature in late summer to fall.

Look-alikes

Japanese spireaSpiraea japonica

Both are arching garden shrubs with toothed leaves. Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica) usually bears broad, flat clusters of pink flowers; laceshrub has small, loose clusters of yellowish-white flowers.

Why they get mixed upBoth are small ornamental shrubs in U.S. gardens.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: gardens
landscaped areas
Range: Native to Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan, it is grown in U.S. gardens and has established populations in Minnesota and Virginia.
Preferred conditions: It grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Flowering: Flowers Jun
Flowers Jun

Growing it

Care: It is recommended for hardiness zones 3a–7b. The cultivar 'Crispa' is a lower, wider groundcover with crinkled, more deeply cut leaves.
Propagation: It can be raised from seed or divided. It also sends up , and arching stems may root where they touch the soil.

Name and classification

About the name: An older scientific name is Stephanandra incisa.
Varieties and forms: 'Crispa' is the form most often sold in the United States.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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