Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat)

A beautiful evergreen tree with outstanding green glossy foliage; fragrant white flowers in late fall; grown for fruit only in frost free areas; an excellent accent tree that also does well in containers

Loquat is a medium-sized tree that is typically grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well. It produces yellow oval fruit (technically 'pomes') with gold flesh which are typically harvested when mature. The fruits have a sweet taste and a juicy texture.

Loquat will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

Loquat is a good choice for the edible garden, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.