Sakaki Cleyera japonica
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- klay-YER-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh
- Description
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Japanese cleyera is a broadleaf evergreen, flowering shrub or small tree native to Asia in the pentaphylax family (Pentaphylacaceae ). Genus name honors Andreas Cleyer a German physician and botanist. The specific epithet indicates the shrub is native to Japan.
It will grow 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide in fertiler, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. In hot southern summers, it appreciates afternoon shade, and it can 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.
The plant has fragrant white flowers that open in early summer and are followed by small berries that mature to dark red. The attractive foliage starts out bronze and turns dark green with yellow-green undersides. t
Japanese cleyera is often grown in greenhouses for its handsome evergreen foliage, fragrant flowers, and long-lasting red fruits. Use as a hedge or foundation planting and in an Asia, winter or drought-tolerant garden.
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'
Varigated leaves
- 'Fortunei'
- 'Fortunei'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fortunei'
Varigated leaves
- '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 Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are thin, gray-to-silver twigs when young
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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
