Cleyera japonica aka Sakaki

Cleyera japonica is an evergreen shrub that can become a small tree. Its common names include Japanese cleyera and sakaki. It belongs to the Pentaphylacaceae family and comes from Asia. Its range includes Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and parts of the Himalayas. It also grows in Myanmar and Thailand. Wild plants grow in forests and thickets, on slopes and in valleys. This species has been confused with Ternstroemia japonica, a different plant.

In gardens, it reaches 10–15 feet [3–4.6 metres] tall. Its spread is about 8–10 feet [2.4–3 metres]. Wild plants can reach about 33 feet [10 metres]. It grows fast and keeps its leaves through winter. The bark is smooth and dark brown with a red tint. Young twigs are thin and grey to silver. The simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. They feel leathery and have smooth edges. Each leaf has a blunt tip and a narrow base. New leaves open bronze, then turn dark green above. Their undersides stay a paler yellow-green. The leaves resemble those of camellias and reach about four inches long.

Small white flowers open from May to June. Each bloom is about half an inch across. The scented, bell-shaped flowers hang down from the leaf axils. They grow alone or in small groups on older wood. Small, pea-sized berries follow the flowers and provide a summer display. The fruit starts red and turns black as it ripens. Both flowers and fruit add interest beyond the evergreen leaves.

Grow this shrub in fertile soil rich in organic matter. It prefers cool, moist soil that drains well. Full sun or part shade suits it. In hot summers, give it shade during the afternoon. It can also cope with almost full shade. Established plants withstand some drought, though moderate watering suits garden growth. Choose a site with shelter from strong winds. Sources place it in USDA zones 6–9. Care needs are low, with no major pest or disease problems reported. Leaf spot can cause minor trouble.

Use sakaki for hedges, screens, borders, or planting near buildings. Its evergreen leaves give gardens interest in winter. In Japan, it has a sacred role in Shinto. People plant it in parks, gardens, and shrine grounds. Its wood serves for combs, utensils, furniture, and local building work. The Useful Tropical Plants database records no known edible or medicinal uses. It also lists no known hazards; this does not establish food safety.