Clemson Hardy Cleyera. This plant has been at the Clemson Gardens (now the South Carolina Botanical Gardens) since I was a student there in the 1960's. It was derived from a cutting sent to the Horticulture Department from the now defunct branch of the USDA called the Bureau of Plant Introductions. It appears to be particularly cold hardy since it survived the mid-80 freezes in an exposed area where it reached -8° F. This is not the "Cleyera" of the trade, which is really Ternstroemia gymnanthera. In the tea family Theaceae, it reaches 8-10' in height with slightly pendulous branches, bronze new growth followed by glossy, dark green leaves. We have experienced no disease or insect problems and even the deer have avoided it, so far. It is one of those few plants which will do well in sun or shade and for this reason makes a wonderful screening plant. The flowers are cream white and small bell-like shape and not particularly showy.
Zones 7-9
