Cleyera japonica var. japonica

An unusual and desirable Japanese shrub, where it is the sacred 'tree' of Shintoism. Forms a rigidly wide spreading, distinctly layered evergreen large shrub with red-rimmed, green, leathery foliage, often red tinted in winter. Masses of fairly inconspicuous but wonderfully scented, small, translucent cream flowers in summer. Not suited to shallow chalk soils. Height 3m. Sun or semi-shade.