Bronze Beauty Cleyera - 3 Gallon Pot

 Founders:  Brooks & Brent Wilson

When you buy plants online from Wilson Bros Gardens, you can expect to receive high-quality nursery and garden center grade plants that are fully-rooted in their containers or pots and ready upon arrival to plant and thrive for years to come in your gardens - Guaranteed!

Our number one goal is your success! To ensure you'll be planting and growing the plants you purchase from us like the pros, under the PLANTING and CARE tabs on every plant page in Wilson Bros Gardens you'll find detailed descriptions and planting and care instructions provided by our horticultural experts. You'll also find hundreds of helpful articles in our on-site Blog. 

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When planted right and in the right spot, Cleyera shrubs are very easy to grow in the ground and in containers. 

Here's a breakdown of what you need to know...

How To Test Soil Drainage  

If you are uncertain about soil drainage in the area you intend to plant your Cleyera, it's well worth taking the time to test the drainage before planting. 

To test soil drainage, dig a hole 12" wide by 12" deep in the planting area. Fill the hole with water and let it drain. Then, after it drains, fill it with water again, but this time clock how long it takes to drain. In well-drained soil the water level will go down at a rate of about 1 inch an hour. A faster rate, such as in loose, sandy soil, may signal potentially dry site conditions and possibly a need to add some moisture retentive organic matter. A slower rate indicates poor draining soil and is a caution you need to improve drainage, plant in a raised mound or bed, or look for plants that are more tolerant of wet or boggy conditions.

Cleyera will grow in full sun, however will tolerate a fair amount of shade. The shrub grows faster and more dense with more sun. We recommend at least 5 hours of direct sunlight. All-day lightly filtered sun is fine.

Start by digging your planting hole at least two to three times as wide and as deep or not much deeper than the root ball of your plant. The wider the hole the better. Place native soil removed from planting hole around the perimeter of the hole, in a wheel barrow, or on a tarp.

Depending on the type, fertility and porosity of the soil in the planting area, it might be beneficial to amend the native soil. When planting in heavy clay or poor soil it is beneficial to thoroughly mix in a good soil conditioner, planting mix, or composted organic matter at a 50/50 ratio with the clay soil to enhance porosity and ensure good drainage. When planting in very sandy, quick-draining soil consider amending with top soil, organic compost, or peat moss to help with moisture retention. When planting in moist but well-drained soil of average fertility there is no need to amend soil.

To remove your Cleyera from the container it was growing in first squeeze the sides of the pot to loosen root ball. Then firmly grasp the base of the plant and try to gently lift and remove the root ball from the container. If the root ball is stuck in the container use a snipping tool or utility knife to cut the container away. After having removed the plant from the container, carefully loosen some feeder roots around the surface of the root ball. 

After setting your Cleyera in the planting hole, use one hand to hold the plant straight and your other hand to begin back-filling your soil mixture around the root ball, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. When you have filled the hole to the halfway point you can soak the soil. Then continue back-filling to the top edge of the root ball. To avoid suffocating your plant, avoid placing any soil on top of the root ball.

When planting in an area far away from a water source, you can use remaining soil mixture to build a 3-inch high water retaining berm (catch basin / doughnut) around the outside perimeter of the planting hole. This basin will help to collect water from rainfall and irrigation, which often reduces the need for hand-watering. The berm can be removed after a growing season or two, when the plant has established itself.

Next, deeply water the planting area, including the root ball, to a depth equal to the height of the root ball. For an extra boost, you can also apply a solution of Root Stimulator, which stimulates early root formation and stronger root development. Root Stimulator reduces transplant shock and promotes greener, more vigorous plants. Needless to say, we highly recommend using it.

To conserve moisture and to suppress weed growth, apply a 1 to 2" layer of shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around the planting area. As the mulch decomposes it will add vital nutrients to the soil that your plant will appreciate. Avoid the use of freshly chipped or shredded wood for mulch until it has cured in a pile for at least 6 months, a year is better. Avoid placing or piling mulch directly against the base of your plant as this could cause the bark to rot.

Cleyera growing in pots appreciate a moist but well-drained soil. Constantly soggy soil can and often will cause root rot or other harmful or deadly plant diseases. Therefore, choose a container with a drainage hole(s) and use a quality potting soil or potting mix, or a 50/50 combination thereof. To ensure good drainage you might also consider adding 10 to 20% perlite or pumice to the soil mixture. 

Choose a container that is large enough to allow for 2 to 3 years of growth before shifting up to a larger size container. This might mean your planting pot would be 8 inches or more in rim diameter than the root ball of your plant. 

Container color will matter as well. Not only will you want to pick a color of container that goes well with the foliage color of your Cleyera, you'll also want to pick a container that matches the style of your home or other structures and other plants in the surrounding environment.

Many nursery & garden centers offer a wide variety of containers to choose from. Before heading out to buy a container take pictures of your home and the surrounding environment. Doing so will help you to choose just the right color and style.

Before filling your container with the soil mix, we recommend lining the bottom with shade cloth or a porous landscape fabric. This will keep the drain holes from becoming stopped up with soil.

To remove your Cleyera from the container it was growing in first squeeze the sides of the pot to loosen root ball. Then firmly grasp the base of the plant and try to gently lift and remove the root ball from the container. If the root ball is stuck in the container use a snipping tool or utility knife to cut the container away. After having removed the plant from the container, carefully loosen some feeder roots around the surface of the root ball. 

Pour a small amount of your soil mixture in the bottom of the container. Set your plant in the container and make necessary adjustments by adding or removing some soil so that the top edge of the root ball will sit 1/2 to 1" below the rim of the container.

Backfill with your potting soil around root ball, tamping as you go, until the level of potting soil is even with the top edge of root ball.

Water thoroughly until water starts to drain from the holes in the bottom of the container. Add more potting mix if settling occurs during watering.

Apply a 1/2" layer of wood chips, sphagnum moss or stone mulch to soil surface for decorative purposes and to help conserve moisture. 

Cleyera will benefit from fertilization. Feed as directed on the product label in late winter or early spring with a quality slow-release shrub & tree type fertilizer or a natural organic plant food.

Feed Cleyera growing in containers as directed on the product label with a slow release granular or water soluble fertilizer listed for use in containers.

Cleyera grow best in a moderately acid to neutral soil ranging from around 5.0 to 7.0 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Testing Soil pH  

Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark. Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline. If you're unsure about the pH of your soil, and whether or not it's suitable for growing Cleyera, it's a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area. You can quickly test soil pH with an inexpensive soil pH tester probe. To raise the pH (make more alkaline) you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. To lower the pH (make more acid) you can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increase acidity and maintain acid soil conditions. 

Learn More: What is Soil pH and How To Adjust It?

When establishing a root system, Cleyera prefer a moist but well-drained soil. When established, they are very drought tolerant and rarely if ever require supplemental irrigation.

Tip:  When watering with an automated irrigation system it's best to set your timer to water during the early morning hours and not in the late evening or at night, which can lead to the onset of fungus and other foliar diseases. Test the soil moisture often during the first few weeks after planting and adjust irrigation time if necessary to maintain a moist but not wet soil.

Cleyera do not require pruning however respond well to it. They can be grown as a shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive tree.

A stray or broken branch can be removed any time of year. Heavy pruning to reduce the size of the plant or for tree-forming should be performed in late winter or early spring. 

Note:  To avoid damage to new growth stimulated by pruning, cease pruning 2 months prior to the average first frost date in your area.