Eriobotrya japonica, commonly known as the Loquat, is a decorative and productive evergreen tree originating in China. It is highly valued in gardens for its subtropical appearance, featuring large, stiff, leathery, heavily veined leaves that are a glossy dark green on the top and fuzzy white or rust-coloured underneath. Unlike most fruit trees that bloom in spring, the Loquat produces clusters of fragrant, pale yellow-white flowers in autumn or early winter. The fruit follows soon after, ripening in late winter or early spring (September-October in Australia), making it one of the first fresh fruits of the season. The fruit is small, round to pear-shaped, with a smooth, velvety, apricot-yellow skin and sweet, tangy, juicy flesh that tastes like a mild blend of plum, apricot, and cherry.
Care Tips
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Position: Prefers a position in full sun to partial shade. Full sun encourages the best fruit set and flavour, but it tolerates more shade than many other fruit trees.
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Climate: Best suited to Warm Temperate and Subtropical climates. It is quite hardy once established and can tolerate light frosts, but severe cold will damage the fruit and flowers.
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Soil: Plant in deep, rich, moist, but well-drained soil. It is relatively adaptable to different soil types.
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Watering: Water regularly and deeply, especially during dry periods and when the tree is flowering and fruiting.
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Fertilising: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, which can encourage excessive leaf growth over flowering and fruiting.
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Pruning: Prune after harvesting the fruit. Thin out congested branches to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration. Pruning can also help manage the tree’s size, as it can grow quite large if left unchecked.
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Maintenance: The fallen fruit can be messy, so avoid planting it over paved areas or pools. Fruit bats and birds are often attracted to the ripening fruit.
