Family Rosaceae
Originating from China and Japan
- A bold, evergreen shrub or tree with huge, textured, rich, dark green leaves.
- Honey-almond scented white flowers bloom late summer, followed by orange fruit.
- Adaptable and easy, it thrives in any soil in sun or shade.
A standout star, Eriobotrya japonica, the Japanese Loquat, dazzles with lush charm. Its giant, veined leaves bring year-round drama to any space.This Urban Jungle favourite adapts wonderfully, growing as a shrub or small tree. Left to grow naturally, it can reach up to 5m tall and 4m wide in 10-15 years.
Grown in shade, it forms a lush, jungly shrub with massive foliage, or in a sun-baked spot, a flowering and fruiting specimen. The late summer flowers, although not showy, fill gardens with sweet honey and almond scent. Citrusy, edible loquats, also called nispero, follow them stocked by Mediterranean supermarkets.
It suits walls, borders, or pots—perfect for Norfolk and Suffolk’s varied plots.
Care Tips for Eriobotrya japonica
- Soil & Sun: Grows in any soil; full sun for fruit, part shade for huge leaves
- Planting: Give it room to stretch—or train it against a wall
- Watering: Keep moist while young, then tolerates dry spells well
- Pruning: Trim after flowering for shape—hard cuts keep it shrubby
Height and spread after 3 – 4 years 1.8m x 1.2m
Semi mature height and spread after 7 – 8 years if not clipped or pruned 3m x 3m
Potential mature height and spread after 15 – 20 years 5m x 4m
Grand and fragrant, Eriobotrya japonica blends bold form with edible flair. It’s a top pick for gardeners seeking impact in East Anglia’s sunniest or shadiest corners. See it thrive in our display gardens at Urban Jungle Suffolk, near Beccles.
Planting suggestions for the Loquat, Eriobotrya japonica
The magnificent foliage of this species has a dark and textured quality, making a perfect backdrop for bright flowers and foliage. Grown as a hedge at the backs of borders, it provides a lush springboard to elevate drama in its foreground.
Both Hibiscus syriacus ‘Woodbridge’ and Hibiscus ‘Starry Starry Night’ flowers jump out against a dark green backdrop.In strong sun, their blooms’ richness fades without ‘setting the stage’. The blooms of Cephalaria gigantea and Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Twister’ similarly benefit.
In its tree-like form, Eriobotrya japonica forms a broad, impressive crown. With lower branches pruned to reveal its trunk, it has a powerful architectural presence. The upright, slender forms of Echium pininana ‘Snow Tower’ and Echium wildpretii form a striking contrast planted in front of it. Its dense crown anchors taller, swaying perennials like Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus Superior’, Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’, and Verbena bonariensis
For further reading on Eriobotrya japonica visit: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Eriobotrya+japonica
