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TreesShrubs

Persea japonica

An evergreen tree reaching 5m, with long glossy dark green leaves above, pale below. The flowers are pale green and cream on red stems and may develop into blue-black berries

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Lauraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched, Bushy
Genus: Persea are evergreen shrubs or small trees with simple leaves and small greenish flowers, followed by pear-shaped, dark green fruits with edible flesh
Name status: Unresolved
Plant range: Japan, Korea

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sheltered spot in milder parts of the country. It needs moisture-retentive neutral to acid soil, with dappled shade.

Propagation

Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings or by seed. For more advice see propagate by seed (tree/shrub

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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