Ternstroemia gymnanthera

A lot of ink is spilled about shrubs that flower prolifically, grow quickly or reach enormous proportions. But not enough is said about the workhorses in our gardens -- the reliable shrubs that often serve as the backdrop for showier displays. Ternstroemia gymnanthera, also known as Japanese cleyera, falls in this category.

Cleyera is often marketed as a substitute for the ubiquitous red-tip photinia. Like its counterpart, new growth is typically bronzy-red and changes to dark green as leaves mature. Cleyera, however, usually grows at a much slower rate. Which isn’t necessarily a drawback since homeowners aren’t fond of picking up pruning shears.

Ornamental appeal

Cleyera is prized for its versatility. It makes a good accent shrub, foundation plant, container plant or hedge. In the landscape it requires little care. Cleyera is drought tolerant and has no major pest or disease problems.

Cleyera grows best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained acidic soil. Leaves will turn yellow if the soil is alkaline. The plant reaches 8-10 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide. It’s suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. The overall form is upright oval to rounded. Some sources say cleyera can tolerate salt spray.

In spring, cleyera has small, yellow-white flowers that are very fragrant. They’re followed by yellow to dark-red fruits, which gradually split open revealing black seeds.

Production notes

Carey Simpson, pest control and perennials production manager at Magnolia Gardens Nursery near Houston, has had few problems with Japanese cleyera.

“Generally speaking there’s no leaf spot disease,” he said. “They’re very herbicide tolerant. We seldom spray them with any foliar fungicides.”

They do take a while to grow though. Magnolia Gardens Nursery starts plants from seed in a 40-cell tray. The plants are then shifted up to a 1-gallon container and allowed to grow for seven to nine months. Before they hit the market, they’re shifted once more into either a 3- or 5-gallon container. It takes five months to finish a 3-gallon specimen, and eight to 10 months for a 5-gallon plant.

To avoid heat stress, the nursery grows cleyera in 30- to 40-percent shade. Simpson said it’s also important to keep an eye on watering. The plants won’t tolerate wet feet. Excessive moisture can result in root rot.

Notable cultivars

‘Grevan’ (trademark name Jade Tiara) has a compact, uniform habit. It reaches 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Its dense growth habit makes a good screen.

‘Burnished Gold’ has bright, golden-bronze new growth that changes to rich gold as it matures. The plant grows well in hot areas and sites with poor drainage.

‘Tricolor’ features dark-green leaves with marbled gray. Leaf margins are cream-white to yellowish and turn rose-pink in winter.

‘LeAnn’ features new growth that is orange-red. It reaches 10-12 feet tall and 6-7 feet wide.

Specifics

Name: Ternstroemia gymnanthera

Common name: Japanese cleyera, Japanese ternstroemia.

Family: Theaceae.

Description: Evergreen shrub with glossy, dark-green leaves and moderate growth rate. New growth is often bronzy-red.

Propagation: Cuttings or seed.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10.

Uses: Suitable as an accent shrub, foundation plant, container plant or hedge.

For more: Magnolia Gardens Nursery, (800) 931-9555; www.magnoliagardensnursery.com.

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- Sarah Martinez

July 2008