Botanical Name: Ternstroemia gymnanthera
Common Name: Ternstroemia
Type of Plant: dicot: shrub
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape upright, stiff, woody, fairly dense shrub with an oval to rounded canopy; new growth tends to be reddish, fading to a bronzy green
Height 3-6' (10')
Spread 2/3-equal
Growth Rate slow
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors partial shade to full shade (full sun along the coast)
Soil prefers moist cool, acidic soil; avoid alkaline soils
Hardiness hardy (zones 4-9, 12-24)
 
Morphology:
Leaves pinnate, alternate/whorled, obovate, 2-6" long, dark green foliage, pale beneath, petioles maroon-red
Flowers small, pale whitish yellow, 1/3-1/2" on short axillary stalks, solitary, fragrant; summer
Fruit round, berry like capsule, yellow orange, 1/2" long
 
Propagation:
seed, semihardwood cuttings
 
Usage:
medium sized filler or small background – for dark foliage informal hedge, tub plant – cool woodsy, tropical landscapes – use with ferns, camellias, azaleas, etc.
 
Landscape Care:
Watering prefers regular watering; fairly shallow rooted
Fertilizing balanced in spring, plus iron
Pruning selectively head back to encourage denser growth
Pests/Diseases scale, mealy bug, chlorosis in heavy soils
Special Conditions/Other mulch frequently to keep soil moist and cool
 
Origin: Japan/East Asia
Family: Theaceae

Notes:
 
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