Chinese Neillia is a deciduous shrub from China with a graceful, arching habit and a quiet elegance that rewards a closer look. In early summer it bears soft pink flowers along the length of its previous season's stems, and the bark on older wood peels away in thin layers to reveal a warm, cinnamon-colored underbark that adds winter interest once the leaves have gone.

It grows best in average, consistently moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade, and resents the combination of summer heat and drought that the South can deliver. Prune right after flowering to preserve next year's bloom wood, and thin out the oldest stems every few years to keep the center open. Deer tend to leave it alone, which makes it a practical choice in gardens where browsing pressure is a constant concern.