An evergreen shrub of sturdy, rounded form, up to 10 ft in height, with downy young wood. Leaves very stout and leathery, broadly oval or obovate, tapering at the base to a stout stalk 1⁄2 in. long, round or blunt-pointed, the terminal part usually shallow-toothed, the lower entire, 11⁄2 to 31⁄2 in. long, about two-thirds as much wide. When young, the leaf is covered on both sides with a loose felt of grey down which rapidly falls away, leaving the surfaces quite glabrous, or with a few pieces of down about the midrib. Flowers fragrant, white, 3⁄4 in. across, produced in a stiff terminal panicle or raceme 3 or 4 in. high, in June. Calyx very woolly, funnel-shaped, with five narrow, pointed lobes. Fruits pear-shaped, blue-black, erect, 1⁄2 in. long, one-seeded. Bot. Mag., t. 5510.
Native of Japan and Korea; introduced about 1862. This striking shrub would appear to be hardier than is generally supposed; it is quite healthy in the open at Kew, but no doubt likes a sheltered spot. It is a handsome shrub, well worth growing for the sake of its pure white scented blossoms. Propagated by seeds, or cuttings made of half-ripened shoots.