Japanese Ternstroemia Ternstroemia gymnanthera

Japanese ternstroemia is a broadleaf evergreen shrub in the Pentaphylax family (Pentaphylacaeae) that grows from 8 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide and is upright, oval, and dense. It is native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, India, and Borneo.

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

This plant can be located in full sun to partial shade; however, it does its best when situated in part shade.  Winter burn may occur in full sun. It prefers moist and well-drained soil and is intolerant to poorly drained or wet sites. 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. Being salt spray tolerant, it is an excellent choice for the North Carolina coastal areas.

Juvenile leaves emerge bronze to reddish, turning to green as the leaves mature. The leaves are crowded at the tips or whorled and have red petioles. Fall foliage appears bronze.  Flowers bloom in the late spring, but they are creamy white non showy and appear solitary or in clusters. The fruit is small, oval-shaped and green that ripen to red in the fall.

The shrub is typically cultivated for its attractive growth habit and tiered branches. 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.  

Japanese ternstroemia or False Japanese Cleyera is very similar and often mistakenly sold as Cleyera japonica. It is often planted as a substitute for the problem plagued red tip photinia and the Leyland cypress.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring     Foliage: Year-round    Fruit:  Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• upright, dense, oval broadleaf evergreen shrub, 8 to 10 feet fall, and 5 to 6 feet wide
• branches are tiered, leaves appear crowded or whorled at tips
• evergreen leaves with red petioles
• non-showy creamy white flowers in the spring
• oval green fruits that ripen to red in the fall

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues noted. Scale can be an occasional problem. Monitor for leaf spots. Winter leaf scorching can occur in full sun.

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