Cleyera japonica 'Tricolor' (Sakaki, Tricolor Cleyera, Tricolor Japanese Cleyera)


Botanical Information

FamilyPentaphylacaceae
GenusCleyera
Speciesjaponica
Cultivar'Tricolor'
SynonymsCleyera fortunei 'Tricolor'
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone7a - 10b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone8
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6 - H2
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-20 - 5
Height10 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodJune, July

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionAn attractive variegated leaved variety. The leaves are marbled in pale and dark green and edged with yellow. This variety rarely produce flowers.
ShapeA dense, compact, rounded shape when young, but matures into an upright multi-trunked large tree.
LandscapePlanted in gardens, parks and shrines. It is often associated with Japanese gardens. This is an exceptional plant that looks great either pruned or left to its own devices. It is ideal for screening, large hedges or foundations and is pretty enough to plant as a specimen. It also works well as an outdoor or indoor container plant. It suits tropical, oriental, formal and cottage designs.
PropagationBy stem cuttings.
CultivationGrow in partial shade in a location that will allow its roots to spread and branches to grow freely. It will tolerate full sun.
Notable SpecimensLanhydrock House and Garden, Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Bark/Stem DescriptionA dark reddish brown and smooth bark.
Leaf DescriptionGlossy, elliptic, bunt-tipped leaves which are 7-10 cm long and around 7 cm wide. The leaves are variegated cream and dark green above, yellowish-green below. Young leaves and those grown in very bright light may have a rosy tinge, particularly near the edges. The short stalked leaves are arranged in two ranks on the branches, one on either side.
Flower DescriptionA small, scented, cream-white flower.
Fruit DescriptionYellow-green maturing to bright red or black.

Photographs