Ternstroemia gymnanthera, with its lustrous, colorful leaves and subtle blooms, a captivating evergreen shrub that adds year-round beauty to your landscape
Ternstroemia gymnanthera, also known as Japanese Ternstroemia or False Japanese Cleyera, is a captivating evergreen shrub native to forests and thickets in eastern and southeastern Asia. It brings year-round beauty to your landscape with its combination of attractive foliage and subtle blooms.
Leaves: The star of the show on Ternstroemia gymnanthera is undoubtedly its leaves. These beauties are:
Leathery and lustrous: Imagine rich, dark green leaves that gleam in the sunlight. Their texture is smooth and substantial, adding a touch of elegance to your garden.
Shaped for interest: The leaves are typically narrow-oblong to ovate-oblong, ranging from 2.5 to 4 inches long. They come to a blunt point at the tip and have a wedge-shaped base.
Crowded clusters: While technically alternate, the leaves tend to cluster at the tips of the stems, creating a pseudo-whorl effect that adds a touch of density and visual interest.
Seasonal color change: A delightful surprise awaits you in spring! New growth emerges with a reddish hue, adding a vibrant contrast to the mature dark green leaves. Some varieties, like 'Carolina Sunset', even boast splashes of yellow, creating a truly stunning display. In colder climates, the foliage may take on a subtle bronze tint during the winter months.
Beyond the leaves: While the leaves are the main attraction, Ternstroemia gymnanthera offers a few other visual treats:
Delicate flowers: In late spring to early summer, the plant produces small, white to yellowish flowers with five petals. They are typically borne singly or in clusters of two or three, adding a touch of fragrance and dainty beauty.
Berry-like fruits: Following the flowers, Ternstroemia gymnanthera produces round, pea-sized fruits. These start green and mature to a reddish-orange color in fall, providing a pop of color and potentially attracting some feathered visitors.
Overall, Ternstroemia gymnanthera is a versatile and low-maintenance shrub that offers a combination of year-round evergreen interest and seasonal highlights. Its beautiful leaves and delicate blooms make it a valuable addition to any garden.