30 Sapphire Berry, Symplocos paniculata, Shrub Seeds (Showy, Hardy)

Other Names: Sapphireberry, Asiatic sweetleaf
Zone: 4 to 8
Growth Rate: Slow
Plant Type: Deciduous large shrub or small tree
Family: Symplocaceae
Native Range: Himilayas, eastern Asia, China and Japan
Height: 10 to 20 feet
Spread: 10 to 25 feet
Shape: Large rounded shrub to low branched small tree; wide spreading with age.
Bloom Time: May - June  
Bloom Color: White
Flower/Fruit: Creamy white, fragrant flowers on 2 to 3" panicles in early summer; .3" bright turquoise blue fruit in fall.
Sun: Full Sun
Fall Color: None
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Site Requirements /Soil Tolerances: Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun.
Culture: Plant in groups of three or more to insure acceptable level of cross-pollination and resultant fruit production. Flowers on previous year's growth, but light, late winter pruning is still recommended even though some of the flower buds will be removed.
Uses: Best in groups in the shrub border or bird garden. Also effective as an unpruned screen.


Sowing Symplocos paniculata Seeds:
Sapphire Berry seed need a warm spell then a cold spell in order to mature the embryo and reduce the seed coat.
For best results, please follow the instructions in the order provided.
Scarify: Soak 24 hours
Stratify: Warm 90-120 Days, Then Cold 60-90 days, 40 Degrees F in a Moist Medium.
Germination: Sow 1/8” deep