H. x intermedia is a hybrid of the Japanese H. japonica and the Chinese H. mollis. A number of varieties of H. x intermedia are available, each bearing the fragrant, spidery, 4-petalled flowers typical of the genus. ‘Jelena’ is spreading in habit and can grow to 4 m in height and width. The leaves are oval-obovate to 15 cm in length, and take on yellow tints in autumn. Raised at Kalmthout Arboretum, Belgium, this is a reliable and florific selection when grown in fertile, moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soils. The genus comprises only five or six species from eastern Asia and North America, with alternate ovate-obovate leaves which take on autumnal colourings, and fragrant, spidery flowers, which add valuable flower to the winter garden.