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Landscape Design Shrubs Trees

Japanese Blueberry

3 years ago

Anyone grow Japanese Blueberry? Pros? Cons?

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Comments (4)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
you will be much better off.. if you convert to the latin name.. and then look for info ...

my brief review said this thrives in the SW ... where are you .. big city name ... are you in a warm enough place ...

i also see the first ad on the search engine is for that fast growing trees joint ...

without anything more.. i never recommend fast growing trees... fast to grow.. fast to problems.. fast to disease .... and fast to death ... in tree time of course ...

invest in good trees ..

and i didnt even get to whether it might be edible.. or just a messy tree ... and why a tree is called by a shrub name.. just because of the color of its seed pods or whatever they are ...

welcome to the forums.. you get the best answers when you include you big city location in every post ... many of us have it right in our names ...

if its your dream.. just get it.. you can always cut it down later ... lifes too short to not get what amuses you ...

ken
Tara S
Original Author
3 years ago
I live in Zone 9a. The berries are not edible from what I've read and it is supoosed to be a hardy plant for the cold and the sun. I've researched it as a hedge/privacy screen and am leaning towards it being as its safe for our dog. I haven't found all the answers in my research so was hoping for some first hand experience. Scientific Name: Elaeocarpis decipiens or shogun little emporer
Thank you
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Japanese Blueberry
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Comments (5)
I have 18 Japanese Blueberry trees planted in Las Vegas, NV. I purchased them in 15 gal containers, so they were about two inch diameter trunk and 10' to 12' tall. They are planted near perimeter walls on the "East" and "South" side of our property. They have not done well, but with that said, I do not believe I have had the best advise on growing them. Here is where I am now, three years later and I think I have actually lost 14 of them, but had the nursery replace them as they died. 1. Make sure your watering is adjusted to allow full saturation of the ground to depth of root ball. Then "Do Not" water again until surface is dry. (consider season) Too much water will not allow the tree to breath. 2. Make sure to prepare the soil to reduce the Nevada alkali prone character, so lots of sulpher and Iron. I believe these trees prefer a more acidic soil than we have in the desert. 3. Try to make sure to keep the trees as far as reasonable from block walls, considering mature sized tree. So I would try to plant at least 4 to 5 feet from wall, by the time they reach 8 to 10' diameter, they should be hardened to the heat. 4. Try to avoid West and South exposure if possible. 5. Keep a keen eye for borer's.. If you get a portion of the tree that looks weak or dying, treat immediately and repeat in two to three weeks. I am not a professional here and am weary of mentioning products, but will respond if asked. ps notice that I have done all the wrong things, but am hopeful. I really like these trees..
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Japanese Blueberry- (Elaeocarpus Decipiens) Experiences
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Comments (52)
Trees and pools are never a hood combo. maybe a palm but they have issues too. if you want shade use heavy umbrellas & be sure to close when not in full use. Flowers like hibicus in containers are better (protect from freeze) or pots of seasonal color like vinca in summer and pansies in winter. Post Houston Freeze update My 15 ft, 3.5 yr old Japanese blueberry took till May to show growth near base. I left it alone until last week when I decided to have the upper limbs and trunch cut back as there was no sign of growth there. Its now a short squatty "tree" I plan to leave it til next year and then decide whats next...loose it or let it grow back its too hot yo plant a tree in summer. These are pretty trees, the dark berries were there and not a problem. The leaves turn red when they finish their life span and then fall off. This is maybe half of the year that shedding occurs. This can be a tree form or trimmed as a large bush, either way if not pruned they get tall (I think I read 30 ft) Note I was traveling during yhe freeze, this tree was not wrapped or lighted. It's in an East facing backyard on the North side next to a 7 ft fence. Many of the Japanese Blueberries in my neighbor hood grew back from lower trunk only, various exposure light and air circulation seemed to effect the rate of regrowth. PS any new tree needs deep water 1st year to establish roots, not just an irrigation system watering, hose running slow for an hour or so a few times a week. If I replant this I think it will be a holly tree, they did very well thru the freeze. Hope this helps!
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New lot, building a house, planning for too many trees?
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We are in the process of building a 2000 sq. foot house on about an acre lot. It backs up to a small canal. The lot is 125' wide by 275' and then we own into the canal. The house is 100' from the front property line. Question is... how many "large" trees is TOO many? We plan to plant the new trees on the property in the fall; right around the time the house will be completed. These are the trees we are planning on: Catalpa - definite (came from my grandfather's property) Red Oak Magnolia Pecan Japanese Blueberry I want the oak tree in the back yard for shade. So was thinking of putting the oak tree in the back slightly left, catalpa back right. Magnolia and pecan in the front... that leaves the japanese blueberry. Will this all fit? Lol If one has to go, it will probably be the japanese blueberry. We will also have a garden and small fruit trees behind the backyard fence. I will try to upload some sort of a drawn out design when I get a chance. Curious on your thoughts. :) P.S. I know the brittle limb nature of the catalpa and pecan are cause for concern, but we want the catalpa for sentimental reasons and the pecan for the fruit. So we do plan to plant them a good distance away from the house.
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Japanese Blueberry
Q
Comments (1)
What a beautiful tree! I had to look it up since I'd never heard of it. It looks like it can be grown as a tall columnar shrub as you have it, or tree-like with a canopy. The link says it produces the bright red leaves with maturity. Can't wait to see how it does for you in the years to come. Be sure and keep us posted.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years ago
If growing it in the right location, it is a very attractive smallish evergreen tree. Fragrant summer flowers and interesting leaf color through the season. May have a tendency to be a bit messy, both with old leaves and fruit, but no other issues of concern. Not particularly drought tolerant, if that is an issue.
Embothrium
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
The penultimate part of your second post establishes that you are asking about a compact horticultural selection rather than the wild parental species.

A tightly branched evergreen shrub with bronze-colored new foliage that matures to a glossy dark green. Throughout the year, older leaves turn brilliant red before dropping. Scented creamy white flowers develop into ornamental, blue-black, olive-like fruit. Ideal for use as a hedge, screening, or foundation plant.

Shogun Series Little Emperor Japanese Blueberry Tree (monrovia.com)

A new and distinct cultivar of Elaeocarpus plant named `Monproud`, characterized by its upright, columnar and compact plant habit; relatively slow growth rate; short internodes and relatively small leaves; dense and bushy plant form; and elliptically-shaped, undulate and twisting leaves that are initially bronzed green in color becoming dark green with development.

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=PP17611.PN.&OS=PN/PP17611&RS=PN/PP17611

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