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Ternstroemia nitida

Japanese ternstroemia

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

Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Yellow White Green
Autumn Green Purple Red
Winter Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
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

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