Small to medium-size evergreen tree to 20' in height with an equal spread. It has dark green leaves and yellow, pear shaped edible fruit. Strong and open branching habit.
| Plant Profile | |
| Botanical Name | Eriobotrya Japonica |
| Features | Small to medium-size evergreen tree to 20' in height with an equal spread. It has dark green leaves and yellow, pear shaped edible fruit. Strong and open branching habit. |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Hardiness Zone | USDA Zones 8 to 11 |
| Mature Size | 25' Tall, 25' Wide |
| Genus Description | Eriobotrya is genus of about 30 species of evergreen shrubs and trees from woodland in the Himalayas and E. Asia. They have alternate, simple, lance-shaped to broadly elliptic, often toothed, leathery leaves and small, 5-petaled flowers in broad, pyramidal panicles. Where not hardy, grow in a cool greenhouse or against a sunny wall. In warmer areas, grow as specimens. Eriobotrya japonica (loquat) is a vigorous, spreading shrub or tree with thick shoots and bold, inversely lance shaped to narrowly obovate, sharp-pointed, strongly veined, dark green leaves, to 12 inches long, glossy above. Bears large panicles of fragrant white flowers from autumn to winter, followed in spring by spherical to pear-shaped, edible, orange-yellow fruit 1 inch across. |
| Care Tips | |
| Cultivation | Under glass, grow in soil-based potting mix in full light, with good ventilation. In growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly; water sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered site in full sun. When pruning, remove wayward or crossing shoots to maintain permanent, healthy framework. Prune in late winter or early spring, when dormant; some in late summer or early autumn to prevent bleeding of sap. May need restrictive pruning under glass. |
| Pests and Diseases | Susceptible to fireblight, fungal spots, blights, crankers, and root rots. |
Tags: eriobotrya japonica, loquat