Cleyera

Ternstroemia gymnanthera (tern-STROE-mee-uh jim-NANTH-er-uh)

Family: Pentaphylacacaeae Non-native Shrub (3-15 ft)

Japanese ternstroemia is a broadleaf evergreen shrub in the Pentaphylax family (Pentaphylaceae) . It is native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, India, and Borneo. The Latin name Ternstroemia comes from the Swedish naturalist Christopher Ternstroem, a student of Linnaeus who died in 1748. This shrub can be located in full sun to partial shade; however, it does its best when situated in part shade. Winter burn may occur in full sun. It prefers moist and well-drained soil and is intolerant to poorly drained or wet sites. It is moderately drought tolerant. Growing best in acidic soils, the shrub’s leaves will yellow when the soil is alkaline. It grows from 8 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide and can be allowed to grow into a large shrub or kept small through regular pruning. Its slow growth rate may make pruning unnecessary, though. To encourage a more compact habit, pinch new growth. Salt spray tolerant, this shrub is an excellent choice for the North Carolina coastal areas. Japanese ternstroemia or false Japanese cleyera is very similar and often mistakenly sold as Cleyera japonica . It is often planted as a substitute for the problem-plagued red tip photinia and the Leyland cypress. The shrub is typically cultivated for its attractive growth habit and tiered branches. Juvenile leaves emerge bronze to reddish, turning dark green as the leaves mature. Fall foliage appears bronze. Use it as a screen, a specimen, and in large borders. Quick ID Hints: This shrub is upright, dense, and oval, 8 to 10 feet fall, and 5 to 6 feet wide Branches are tiered, leaves appear crowded or whorled at tips. evergreen leaves with red petioles non-showy creamy white flowers in the spring oval green fruits that ripen to red in the fall Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scale can be an occasional problem. Monitor for leaf spots. Winter leaf scorching can occur in full sun. VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I: Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 62 attributes.