Ternstroemia nitida

RHS Plant Profile
Japanese ternstroemia
Shrubs Trees

An evergreen shrub or small tree eventually reaching up to 8m tall with papery to thinly leathery, oblong to elliptic leaves up to 10cm long that have glossy, dark green upper surfaces and paler green undersides. In summer, strongly scented white to pale yellow flowers are usually borne singly in leaf axils and are followed by ovoid fruits to around 1cm long that mature to a purple-red colour

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
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
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