About
A small, evergreen tree to 8m tall with greyish-white bark, purplish-brown branchlets and leathery, oblong to elliptic leaves up to 11cm long that are dark green and shiny on the upper surfaces with pale green undersides. Small, white to pale yellow flowers borne in late spring to early summer are followed by rounded, leathery fruits up to 2cm in diameter.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand, Chalk
Soil pHAlkaline, Acid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a moist but well-drained soil in partial shade; suited to growing in areas with a mild climate
PruningPruning group 8 (evergreens)
PropagationPropagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free