I have grown it from seed sown in the Autumn and left in a pot outside over the winter. It germinated 2 springs later and that was with very fresh seed I gathered myself. There's no guarantee how fresh eBay seed will be.

Whitman Farms (excellent Garden Watchdog rating) has them in 1-gallon pots. A few wholesalers also list them in current inventory.

Here is a link that might be useful: whitmanfarms.com

Hi brandon,
I contacted Whitman Farms the other day but they no longer grow sapphireberry. Here is my correspondence with them.
...........thanks anyway........Ron

Hi, Ron, I used to grow Symplocos, but it was a bear to keep alive in a pot, but let me tell you how to get it going: first get the seed from someplace like Sheffield seed company; you can buy small packets for a very reasonable price. The seeds germinate easily so plant them where you want your eventual tree. This of course is the tricky part because mice will eat the seed if it's not protected and you need to plant in clean soil so that you can tell what comes up is not just weeds. This way you will avoid the transplant trap and the pot problem. Good luck.
lucile whitman
lucile@whitmanfarms.com
503 585 8728

On Mar 11, 2012, at 9:32 PM, Whitman Farms Web Contact wrote:

> From: beemster@optonline.net
> > Subject: Saphireberry (Symplocos paniculata)
> > Message:
> Saphireberry (Symplocos paniculata)
> > Do you sell this retail? I've been searching for it for ages. Would like to get 2 or 3 (1 gal) size. I'm in NY (12545). Please let me know. price plus shipping.
> ......thanks much.....Ron

Contact the Polly Hill Arboretum, and see if they'll part with any of the copious seedlings that they term noxious weeds. And while you are at it, they also produce zillions of Stewartia seedlings on their acid sandy soils.

It's all in your perspective...