Japanese Cleyera Cleyera japonica
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- klay-YER-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh
- Description
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Japanese cleyra is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree native to Asia in the Pentaphylacaceae family. 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.
Use as a foundation planting, in a shrub border, as a hedge or privacy screen.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- 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 sacrade in the Shinto religion in Japan.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 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
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- 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 Description:
- Shiny black fruits
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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 Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White flowers appear solitary or in small clusters of 2-5 blooms May to June. Flowers are 1/2" across, fragrant and bell-shaped and hang down.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leathery leaves are darker above and lighter below and resemble camellias new leaves are bronze in color turning green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smoother and light gray
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Small Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
