Cleyera japonica
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- klay-YER-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh
- Description
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Japanese cleyera is a broadleaf evergreen, flowerng shrub or small tree native to Asia in the Pentaphylacaceae family. It will typically mature to 12 feet high. The plant has fragrant white flowers that open in early summer. The family name was previously Theaceae, and the genus is named after German botanist and physician Andreas Cleyer. The species name japonica indicates the plant's origin in Japan.
Plant this shrub in high organic matter, well-drained soil in the full sun to partial shade. In hot southern summers, it appreciates afternoon shade, and it can, in fact, tolerate almost full shade. Once established, they are quite drought tolerant, but be sure to plant in an area with some protection from strong winds.
Japanese cleyera is often grown in greenhouses for its handsome evergreen foliage, fragrant flowers, and long-lasting red fruits.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious problems. Leaf spot can be a minor issue.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Fortunei'
- 'Fortunei'
- 'Fortunei'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fortunei'
- 'Fortunei'
- 'Fortunei'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cleyera
- Species:
- japonica
- Family:
- Pentaphylacaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Considered sacred in the Shinto religion in Japan. Wood is used for making utensils (especially combs) and it is commonly planted in gardens, parks, and shrines.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Himalaya to East Asia, northern Indo-China, Philippines
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Pea-sized berry, red ripening to black.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White flowers appear solitary or in small clusters of 2 to 5 blooms from May to June. Flowers are 1/2" across, fragrant and bell-shaped and hang down. Flowers are borne singly or up to three together in each leaf-axil on the previous year’s wood, or on short spurs.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Four inch long, leathery leaves are dark green above and yellow-green below and resemble camellias. New leaves are bronze in color turning green. Bluntly pointed at the apex, narrowly wedge-shaped at the base.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is dark reddish brown and smooth.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Small Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
