Sapphireberry Symplocos paniculata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-PLOH-kos pan-ick-yoo-LAY-tuh
- Description
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Saphireberry is a deciduous large rounded shrub or low-branching small tree in the Symplocaceae family native to Asia. This multistemmed plant grows slowly to 10 to 20 feet tall and wide becoming wide-spreading and twiggy with age. The genus name Symplocos is Greek for combination and is in reference to the fused stamens, and the species name paniculata refers to the inflorescence being a panicle.
It can grow in a variety of conditions, however, for the best results, grow in a sunny location with moist acidic soil. Plant two or more trees together for cross-pollination and to promote production of the showy blue fruits which are enjoyed by birds. This deciduous shrub can retain its leaves in the winter, however, they will be withered. Prune in the late winter being careful not to remove too many flower buds as this plant flowers on second year wood.
Plant in small groups, at the back of a shrub border, or use the multistemmed habit as an effective screen.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Symplocos
- Species:
- paniculata
- Family:
- Symplocaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Red and yellow dye can be made from the leaves and bark.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia-Tropical, Japan and China Southeast
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to the berries.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Buffer
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- The fruits are used in jams and jellies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Turquoise blue round drupes 1/3" long
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Creamy-white flowers form on 2-3" panicles on previous year's growth.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green, 1.5-3.5" leaves. The upper leaf is bright green with veins. The underside is slightly pubescent. No fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- A mature plant will have ridged or plated bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Can be trained as a multi stemmed shrub or as a small tree.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Humidity
- Insect Pests
- Rabbits
- Wind
