Cleyera plants are native to China and Japan, but they have become naturalized throughout the Southern United States. These semi-tropical plants can’t take repeated freezing, and they are rated for USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. New growth starts out red, gradually turning to an unusually dark green color. The glossy, evergreen foliage is attractive year round. Although it is grown primarily for its foliage, the shrub also has fragrant, attractive white flowers that bloom at the point where the leaves join the stems. These are followed by dark red berries that split away to reveal shiny black seeds. The seeds stay on the plant throughout most of winter.
