Buy Loquat Trees for sale at Advanced Nursery Growers in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is an attractive evergreen fruit tree that grows especially well in North Florida and the Florida Panhandle. With its large, dark-green leaves, fragrant creamy-white flowers, and clusters of golden-yellow to orange fruit, Loquat works beautifully as both an edible fruit tree and an ornamental landscape tree. Unlike most common fruit trees, Loquat blooms during the cooler months. Fragrant flowers are produced in fall and winter, followed by fruit that generally ripens from late winter into spring. The juicy fruit has a pleasant sweet-to-tart flavor and can be eaten fresh or used in preserves, jellies, jams, desserts, sauces, and other recipes. The fruit contains several large seeds that should be removed before eating or processing. Loquat is an excellent choice for Florida Panhandle landscapes because the tree itself is relatively cold hardy, drought tolerant once established, evergreen, and generally easy to maintain. It can develop into a handsome shade or specimen tree, or it can be selectively pruned to maintain a smaller size for easier harvesting. Plant Details: Plant Type: Evergreen fruiting tree Botanical Name: Eriobotrya japonica Common Names: Loquat, Japanese Plum, Japanese Medlar Mature Size: Approximately 20–35 feet tall if left unpruned; mature trees can be maintained around 6–12 feet tall with selective pruning for easier harvesting Growth Habit: Rounded, dense evergreen tree Sun: Full sun to partial shade; full sun is preferred for the best flowering and fruit production USDA Zones: Generally Zones 8–11 Chill Hours: No specific chill-hour requirement is generally used for Loquat Bloom Time: Fall through winter Harvest: Late winter through spring, depending on weather and location Flowers: Fragrant creamy-white flowers that attract bees and other pollinating insects Fruit: Yellow to orange, oval to pear-shaped fruit with juicy flesh Flavor: Sweet to slightly tart, depending on variety and ripeness Fruit Uses: Fresh eating, preserves, jelly, jam, sauces, desserts, and other recipes Seeds: Fruit contains several large seeds that should be removed before eating or processing Pollination: Loquat is generally self-compatible, and a single tree can produce fruit; planting another genetically different Loquat nearby can improve fruit set, fruit size, and overall production Soil: Adaptable to many soil types but performs best in well-drained soil Water: Water regularly during establishment; mature trees are relatively drought tolerant but perform best with adequate moisture during flowering and fruit development Pruning: Can be selectively pruned to maintain a smaller tree and easier harvesting height Landscape Uses: Home orchard, edible landscape, evergreen shade tree, specimen tree, screen, patio-area planting, or wildlife garden North Florida Growing Note: Loquat is one of the better-adapted evergreen fruit trees for North Florida and the Florida Panhandle. Mature Loquat trees are relatively cold tolerant and may survive temperatures near 8–10°F. However, the flowers and developing fruit are much more sensitive to cold and may be damaged or killed when temperatures fall below approximately 27°F. Because Loquat flowers during fall and winter, a healthy tree may grow extremely well in North Florida yet occasionally lose its fruit crop during a hard winter freeze. For the best chance of dependable fruit production, plant in a sunny, protected location and avoid low areas where cold air tends to settle. Even in years when a freeze reduces fruit production, Loquat remains an attractive evergreen landscape tree. Pollination Recommendation: A single Loquat tree can produce fruit because Loquats are generally self-compatible. However, planting two genetically different Loquat trees can improve fruit set, fruit size, and total production. For customers primarily interested in maximum fruit production, we recommend planting more than one genetically different Loquat when space allows. Pruning for Easier Harvesting: Unpruned Loquat trees can eventually become fairly large. For a home orchard, selective pruning can keep the tree around 6–12 feet tall, making fruit easier to harvest and helping maintain a manageable tree size. Avoid severe or unnecessary pruning during flowering and fruit development. Fruit Use Note: Loquat fruit is best harvested when fully colored and slightly soft. The juicy fruit may be eaten fresh or used for jams, jellies, preserves, sauces, desserts, and other recipes. Remove the large seeds before eating or processing the fruit. Local Pickup & Limited Shipping: Local pickup is available for most plants and trees at our nursery in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Limited shipping may be available for select trees, liners, and smaller plants in 3-gallon containers or smaller. Shipping availability depends on the plant variety, size, quantity, destination, and packaging requirements. Shipping charges are calculated separately. Please contact us before ordering if shipping is needed so we can confirm that the plant can be shipped and provide the current shipping cost. Contact Advanced Nursery Growers: Advanced Nursery Growers LLC1911 McLeod RoadDeFuniak Springs, FL 32435Phone: 850-391-2228Email: [email protected]: www.AdvancedNurseryGrowers.com Wholesale: Wholesale pricing is available for qualified nurseries. Please contact Advanced Nursery Growers for current availability and wholesale pricing.
