Bronze Loquat Seedling
A unique species of loquat that is wonderfully ornamental and often planted in landscapes around the South and Southern California but not often seen outside of those areas. Named for its new growth that is a beautiful deep bronze color. Its fruits are not large and delicious like Eriobotrya japonica, but it is thought that some opportunity exists for hybridizing the two, gaining the cold hardiness and fruit quality of japonica with the summer flowering and autumn fruit ripening of deflexa, but only time will tell on that. The bronze loquat has a chance in protected zone 8 gardens but is typically thought of as a zone 9 plant.
Latin Name: Eriobotrya deflexa
Site and Soil: Loquats like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: This tree is self-fertile
Hardiness: Hardy to around 20º F. or a bit below.
Bearing Age: 3-5 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 12-15 ft, up to 30 ft. with great age if left unpruned
Bloom Time: February-April
Ripening Time: September
Yield: 50+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: This tree is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 7