Symplocos paniculata Seeds | Sapphire Berry
LATIN NAME: Symplocos paniculata
COMMON NAME: Sapphire Berry
Plant Profile
Sapphire Berry (Symplocos paniculata) grows as a large, open, deciduous shrub in the sweetleaf family (Symplocaceae). In early autumn, sapphire berry puts on a show that most gardeners have never seen: a small tree covered in tight clusters of small, brilliant, China-blue berries that glow against gold of the leaves. It is a tree of warm hills of the eastern Asia, and it is known as sapphire berry. At maturity it stands about Five or six metres. For the small amount of care it requires, the return is remarkable.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the sweetleaf family, Symplocos paniculata draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. Sapphire berry has been studied in botany for its odd, brilliant-blue fruit and its place among relatives of sweetleaf family, and plant scientists have examined small, creamy-white, fragrant flowers and nectar they give early summer insects. A long cultivation history means growers know what to expect from it.
Uses & Benefits
Sapphire Berry brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. For autumn garden, sapphire berry is a fine, rare show. Its tight clusters of small, brilliant, China-blue berries glow against gold and orange of autumn leaves, and they feed birds of the season. Through early summer small, creamy-white, fragrant flowers are full of nectar, pulling in bees and butterflies, and tree is an easy, adaptable grower of open garden. Beyond the establishment year, its needs are simple and few.
Symplocos species are refined evergreens of Asian forests; some yield traditional dyes and folk astringents.
Growing from Seed
Sapphire Berry grows readily from seed. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in bright light until the seedlings are well up. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
Sapphire Berry repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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