- Botanical name: Eriobotrya japonica
- Common name: Loquat
- Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Tree, Evergreen
White
Green
The loquat, Eriobotrya japonica, is a wonderful tree, ideally suited to small gardens. The foliage is particularly distinctive, with large, evergreen leaves borne in spurts of fresh green and a dusty coating that gradually sloughs off as the leaves age.
In warmer climes, such as the Mediterranean, it’s grown for the tasty spring fruits, loquats, which look similar to apricots and have delicious flavour somewhere between peach and mango. Getting it to fruit in the UK is trickier as the perfumed (and pollinator friendly) flowers that appear in autumn in winter are easily damaged by frosts. It’s a beautiful addition nonetheless, and the leaves have been observed to grow larger in the UK than elsewhere, providing a more dramatic display.
For best results, grow Eriobotrya japonica in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. Choose a sheltered spot to avoid wind damage to the leaves – ideally a sheltered microclimate to give you the best chance of fruit.
How to grow Eriobotrya japonica
-
Plant size
8m height
8m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Frost hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does flower in November |
D
Plant does flower in December |
| Fruits | ||||||||||||
| Fruits |
J
Plant does not fruit in January |
F
Plant does not fruit in February |
M
Plant does fruit in March |
A
Plant does fruit in April |
M
Plant does fruit in May |
J
Plant does not fruit in June |
J
Plant does not fruit in July |
A
Plant does not fruit in August |
S
Plant does not fruit in September |
O
Plant does not fruit in October |
N
Plant does not fruit in November |
D
Plant does not fruit in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do Take cuttings in June |
J
Do Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do Harvest in April |
M
Do Harvest in May |
J
Do not Harvest in June |
J
Do not Harvest in July |
A
Do not Harvest in August |
S
Do not Harvest in September |
O
Do not Harvest in October |
N
Do not Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Eriobotrya japonica and wildlife
Eriobotrya japonica is known for attracting bees and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Eriobotrya japonica poisonous?
Eriobotrya japonica has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Eriobotrya japonica
