The Lowcountry of South Carolina is not necessarily known for its easy-to-grow fruit trees . It gets too cold for many tropical fruits, and it is too warm for many other fruits. There are some that thrive here, though, and one of them is the loquat.
When it comes to fruit trees, there is not much that can rival the loquat in terms of production and adaptability. Sometimes confused with the kumquat, a species in the Rutaceae, or citrus family, the loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) — also known as a Japanese plum — is a beautiful flowering tree from the rose family. A fruit tree native to eastern Asia, the loquat does remarkably well in temperate climates.
The loquat is a small, evergreen tree that can handle the summer heat of the Lowcountry but surprisingly can also handle the cold winters. It blooms in the late fall to early winter, where the blooms, though not super showy, are quite fragrant and pleasant to smell in any landscape. Then it slowly sets fruit for the late spring.
With an untimely frost, fruit production can be affected, but this does not usually happen. A well-established, healthy tree can average 100 pounds of fruit per season. The loquat is exceptionally drought-tolerant and afflicted with few pests.
It can handle living in the full sun or even under some slight shade. Just like the fruit, the loquat also is a versatile specimen in many landscapes. The fruit has a unique flavor that some would describe as being a mix between a plum and a mango with a hint of .