Adina rubella

Adina rubella is a shrub that sheds its leaves each year. Its common names include Chinese buttonbush and glossy adina. It belongs to the madder family, Rubiaceae. Its native range covers central and southeastern China to southern Korea. There, it grows near streams, rivers, ponds, and sandy shores. These damp sites help explain its value in water gardens.

In gardens, it grows 5–10 feet [1.5–3.05 metres] tall. Its spread can reach the same size. Some plants stay narrower, at 3 feet [0.9 metres] wide. Upright stems and arching branches give it an open shape. It grows fast and has a fine texture. Bark may be dark brown or deep red. Young stems can be green or red and lack scent. The simple leaves grow in pairs along the stems. They are oval to oblong, with smooth, reddish edges. Their dark green, glossy surfaces catch the light. Each leaf measures about one to two inches long.

Small flowers gather into round heads on long stalks. The heads reach about three-quarters of an inch across. Their projecting styles give them a bristled look. Flowers are cream-white, sometimes with a touch of pink. They have a light scent. Both male and female flowers occur on one plant. The listed bloom season runs from June to October. Other accounts place the first blooms in spring. Green or yellow capsules follow the flowers.

Grow this shrub in full sun or partial shade. It prefers moist, acidic soil with good drainage. It also accepts neutral soil, clay, loam, and sand. It can cope with brief floods and spells of dryness. Dry shade is another condition it can tolerate. Sources list USDA zones 6–9 for garden use. Woody stems survive winter best in zone 7 and warmer. In colder sites, winter cold may kill stems to ground level. New shoots can return from the roots in spring. These may reach 4 feet [1.2 metres] by September.

Use it beside ponds, along banks, or in rain gardens. It also suits borders, screens, and groups of shrubs. Sources suggest it for butterfly and bird gardens. Its leaves and flower heads provide the main visual interest. No major insect or disease issues are reported. Care needs are rated as medium. Root cuttings offer a way to raise new plants. No edible uses or known hazards are recorded. That absence does not establish safety for people or pets. Reported medicinal uses include controlling bleeding and aiding circulation.