Ternstroemia luteoflora

RHS Plant Profile
sharp sepal-ternstroemia
Trees

A small, evergreen tree to 8m tall with greyish-white bark, purplish-brown branchlets and leathery, oblong to elliptic leaves up to 11cm long that are dark green and shiny on the upper surfaces with pale green undersides. Small, white to pale yellow flowers borne in late spring to early summer are followed by rounded, leathery fruits up to 2cm in diameter

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Pentaphylacaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
A genus of around 100 species of evergreen trees or shrubs from tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa and America. They have glossy, blue-green foliage and small, white fragrant flowers in summer, followed by yellow to dark red fruits
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well-drained soil in partial shade; suited to growing in areas with a mild climate

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8 (evergreens)

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free