About
An evergreen shrub or small tree eventually reaching up to 8m tall with papery to thinly leathery, oblong to elliptic leaves up to 10cm long that have glossy, dark green upper surfaces and paler green undersides. In summer, strongly scented white to pale yellow flowers are usually borne singly in leaf axils and are followed by ovoid fruits to around 1cm long that mature to a purple-red colour.
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 pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal
FragranceFlower
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