Elaeocarpus decipiens
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Adenodus sylvestris
- Phonetic Spelling
- el-lee-oh-KAR-pus de-SIP-ee-enz
- Description
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Elaeocarpus decipiens, or Japanese Blueberry Tree, is a broad-leaved evergreen large shrub or tree native to temperate East Asia, typically found in evergreen forests from 1,300 to nearly 8,000 feet in elevation through much of China and in Vietnam. It typically grows to 20 to 35 feet in height with an equal spread, but it can become larger with time (mature trees in nature are known to be 60 feet).
Plant in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil and water regularly until well established. It does best with fairly regular irrigation. It is cold hardy into USDA Zone 8 where winters do not go below 10 or 15 degrees F, such as the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. Japanese Blueberry is adaptable to many climates and relatively pest free. It is also useful as a larger shrub and can be used for hedging and large scale privacy screen and windbreaks. It is attractive year-round, although some complain of the fruit drop and the litter caused by dropped leaves and flowers.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or pest issues. Litter is sometime sited as a problem.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Elaeocarpus
- Species:
- decipiens
- Family:
- Elaeocarpaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern China to Vietnam
- Distribution:
- Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees and butterflies are attracted to flower nectar. Deer browse the foliage.
- Edibility:
- Fruit is ornamental, not edible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The flowers are followed in the fall by the small oblong bluish purple colored fruits that give this plant its common name.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- White to pale pink in the late spring to early summer. The lightly fragrant small cream-colored flowers hang downwards with dissected fringed petals. Summer flowers are nearly hidden within the canopy.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- New leaves are light green and they turn red as they age. In spring, flushes of bronze growth mature to shiny dark green elliptical leaves. Previous year's leaves turn orange and linger for several months prior to dropping and littering the ground.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
