Eriobotrya japonica ‘Tanaka’, Japanese woolly medlar, Height 100cm, 5 litre pot

Eriobotrya japonica ‘Tanaka’, better known as the Japanese loquat, is a beautiful and easy-to-grow plant that adds an exotic touch to your garden. This tree, supplied at a height of 100 cm in a 5-litre pot, is native to China and Japan and grows into a shrub or small tree of 3–4 metres. It remains evergreen throughout the year, with large, dark, slightly hairy leaves that have a grey-green hue. From March to May, it blooms with fragrant, white-yellow flowers in clusters, followed by delicious fruit from July to August. The ‘Tanaka’ variety produces larger fruits than the common variety – yellow to orange berries measuring 4–6 cm – with a sweet, tangy flavour reminiscent of apricot or plum. They are delicious eaten fresh, or used in jam, juice or tarts.

This Japanese Woolly Sycamore likes a sunny, warm spot, preferably south-facing and out of the wind. It grows well in a pot on your terrace or in the open ground in a sheltered spot. The soil should be well-watered, and you can prune it in late summer for a neat shape. It is self-pollinating, so one plant is enough for fruit, and it is quite productive with early flowering and harvest. This 'Tanaka' is grafted onto a BA29 rootstock, which makes it stronger and slightly more hardy - it can handle up to -15 degrees, if it doesn't freeze for too long. Still, it's smart to wrap it up in severe frosts or put it indoors, for example in a shed or greenhouse.

In terms of care, it is not difficult: give it a sunny position and plenty of water, especially in dry periods. It grows sturdy and upright, offering shade as well as fruit and a graceful look. Popular in countries like Italy ('nespole'), here it gives your garden a tropical touch. A simple plant that is both beautiful and useful, with larger fruits and strong growth!