Japanese name: バイカウツギ（梅花空木） Scientific name:Philadelphus satsumi
[Overview]
A deciduous shrub about 2 m tall.
It branches freely and forms a wide crown.
The leaves are simple and opposite, ovate, 4–10 cm long and 1.5–3 cm wide.
Three veins stand out on the leaf, and the margin has sparse teeth.
The leaf stalk is 0.5–1 cm long.
Cymes are produced at the branch tips, bearing 5–9 flowers.
The flowers are white and 4-petaled, about 2.5–3 cm across.
The fruit is a capsule.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings.
It prefers fertile, slightly moist soil in a sunny, well-drained site.
Avoid places that receive strong afternoon sun or that become dry.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply organic fertilizer in early spring, and after flowering give a thank-you fertilizer such as oil cake.
Prune as soon as possible after flowering.
Pests and diseases include powdery mildew and scale insects.
