Cleyera Ternstroemia gymnanthera

The Latin name Ternstroemia comes from the Swedish naturalist Christopher Ternstroem who died in 1748.  He was a world traveler who developed this plant while in China.

Upright to rounded oval broadleaf evergreen. Salt spray tolerant - hence an excellent choice for NC coastal areas. It can be located in full sun to partial shade, however it does its best when situated in part shade.  It may winter burn in full sun.  It does not tolerate poorly drained soils. 

Juvenile leaves emerge bronze to reddish, turning to green as the leaves mature.  It will bloom in the summer, but the flowers inconspicuous.  The fruit ripens in fall but is again relatively inconspicuous.

It is typically cultivated for its attractive growth habit and tiered branches with evergreen, blue-green leaves that appear whorled at the branch tips.  This moderately drought tolerant specimen is utilized as a screen, a specimen, and in large borders.  It can be pruned, however its slow growth rate makes pruning unnecessary.  You can pinch new growth to encourage a more compact habit.  

Growing best in acidic soils, the leaves will yellow when the soil is alkaline.  Maintenance is not an issue for this easy keeper.  It can be allowed to grow into a large shrub, or can be kept small through regular pruning. 

Very similar to and often sold as Cleyera japonica.  It is often planted as a substitute for the problem plagued redtip photinia and the Leyland cypress.

Quick ID

• Branches are tiered, leaves appear whorled at tips
• Evergreen blue-green leaves have purple petioles
• Erect shrub with sympodial growth

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues noted.  Scale can be an occasional problem.  

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University