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Eurya japonica

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
YOO-ree-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh
Description

Eurya is a large, evergreen, perennial shrub or small tree in the pentaphylax family, native to the hillsides of China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. At maturity, it can reach a height of 12 feet and a width of 9 feet. The branches have a unique horizontal to slightly upright structure. The glossy, lance-shaped, 3 inch leaves have serrated margins and a thick, leathery quality. Tiny pendulous, bell-shaped, cream colored flowers bloom in early to mid spring and hang downward below the branches on short stems. The species name means from Japan and refers to a portion of this plant's native range.

Eurya does best in a compost of loam and peat, neutral or slightly acidic, alhough it will grow in well-draining soils and clay. It is typically propagated by cuttings planted in a sandy soil. Growing the plant in full sun will encourage blossoms, but the plant will tolerate partial shade. However, it does not tolerate cold, drying winds during winter.

Eurya is most often used as an ornamental for covering a low wall or as a decoration and can be pruned to a desired shape. In the Shinto religion, the tree is considered sacred, and its leaves are used as sacrificial offerings. Some consider the flowers of Eurya to be malodorous and should not be cut and brought indoors; if you find this to be the case, 'Moutiers' is a more fragrant cultivar.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known pest or disease issues. However, this evergreen plant is very frost-tender and requires protection from cold, drying winds.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Moutiers'
    Low and spreading with larger, better smelling, blossoms.
'Moutiers'
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#white flowers#shrub#broadleaf evergreen#large leaves#low maintenance#winter interest#flowering shrub#fantz#malodorous#winter flowers#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Moutiers'
    Low and spreading with larger, better smelling, blossoms.
'Moutiers'
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#white flowers#shrub#broadleaf evergreen#large leaves#low maintenance#winter interest#flowering shrub#fantz#malodorous#winter flowers#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eurya
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Pentaphylacacaeae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Leaves are used for a tea substitute.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China, Korea, Central and Southern Japan, Vietnam
    Distribution:
    Eastern Himalayas
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 4 in. - 12 ft. 3 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    Dark bluish berries ripen in fall on female plants if a male is nearby to provide pollen for the female flowers.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tiny pendulous cream-colored flowers bloom in early to mid spring at the leaf axils and hang downward below the branches on short stems. Some consider the flowers to emit an unpleasant odor.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The thick, leathery, lance-shaped leaves are 1 to 3 inches long and 0.5 to 1 inch wide with serrated margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Young branches are grayish brown to brown. Current year branchlets are yellowish green to pale brown.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Rock Wall
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Flowering Tree
    Hedge
    Specimen