Jujube Seedling (Ziziphus jujuba)

Common Names: Jujube, Chinese Date, Tsao.

The jujube originated in China where they have been cultivated for more than 4,000 years and where there are over 400 cultivars.

Easy to grow and tough attractive tree with contorted branches and glossy bright green leaves that turn yellow in fall. Grows 10-20 ft. Fragrant light yellow flowers bloom in midsummer and make excellent bee forage. The small brown fruits, sometimes call Chinese Dates, are like a sweet crisp apple in green stage, and when dried have a flavor that resembles dates. The fruits are nutritious as well as delicious and full of vitamin C. The Jujube is one of the most widely grown fruits in China where they are highly esteemed. Trees are drought tolerant, hardy to –10 degrees and need a long growing season to produce fruit. Fruit ripens late summer fall.

Need 2 for Pollination.

Zones 6-10

Winter dormancy allows it to withstand temperatures to about -28° F, yet it requires only a small amount of winter chill in order for it to set fruit. The plant revels in summer sun and heat, with the lack of either limiting fruit production more than winter cold. Jujube trees are not particularly suitable for container culture, but can be grown in this manner in a large container.