How To Win The “Best Looking Yard” Award in Your Neighborhood
Looking to add some instant charm to your landscape? Look no further than the Japanese Blueberry tree. While most blueberries boast bell-shaped flowers, the Japanese Blueberry is a showstopper with its cream-colored, cascading petals that resemble flowing grass skirts. These delicate decorations emerge in late spring/early summer, providing a lovely addition to your space. Plus, the tree’s branches emit a pleasant fragrance that will awaken your senses.
But that’s not all! Japanese Blueberry trees are ornamental evergreens that offer a strong visual impact all year long. The tree produces not only green but also bronze and bright red leaves that add fiery dashes of color to its appearance. In fall, the branches flush reddish-orange, ensuring that the tree is never dull and always provides year-round color.
If you live in zones 8-11, you’re in luck! The Japanese Blueberry Tree is a perfect choice for your area, as it thrives in moderate temperatures throughout the year. Plus, this berry variety is incredibly easy to grow. Simply plant the young tree in well-drained soil, water occasionally, and watch it flourish. The hardy, disease-resistant specimen is not fussy and can even withstand salty ocean spray, making it a perfect choice for seaside dwellers.
Unleash the Landscaping Potential of the Japanese Blueberry Tree
Japanese Blueberry trees are highly sought after by landscape architects for their extensive potential. They can be grown into a dense accent tree that provides privacy, a beautiful backdrop, or an anchor for mixed beds. They can also be used as a security hedge, or as a statement piece in entryway decorations. These versatile trees are highly adaptable, and can be customized to suit your exact needs. That’s why landscapers can’t get enough of the Japanese Blueberry tree – growers always have room for one more!
Shape It to Perfection
One of the most fun things about Japanese Blueberry trees is pruning them to perfection. These trees have a tight branching pattern that can reach heights of up to 35 feet, but they don’t mind being pruned. During warm weather, trim them 2-3 times a year to create your desired shape. You can choose to create a casual cone shape, a trunk with a dense cloud of leaves, a hedge, or whatever suits your space. The Japanese Blueberry tree is ready to adapt to your needs!
Beauty Beyond Berries
The Japanese Blueberry tree is an attractive addition to any space. While its berries may be inedible for humans, birds find them irresistible. In the tree’s native Asia and the South Pacific, the blue fruit is a favorite treat of birds. As the tree matures, its fruit becomes more plentiful, and contrasts beautifully with the tree’s fall foliage. Watch in delight as the Japanese Blueberry tree attracts birds of all sorts, bringing your space to life!
Get Growing
Growing a Japanese Blueberry tree is easy, even for beginners. These hardy trees are disease-resistant and easy to grow. Simply plant the young tree in moist, well-drained soil and water it occasionally. If you live in zones 8-11, you’re in luck – the Japanese Blueberry tree thrives in moderate temperatures year-round. Even seaside dwellers can enjoy this tree, as it can withstand salty ocean spray. Add some charm to your landscape today with a Japanese Blueberry tree!
Planting & Care
The Japanese Blueberry tree, or Elaeocarpus decipiens, thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 10. This slow-growing tree typically takes between one and three years to become established, during which time it needs regular watering and fertilizer applications to develop a healthy root system.
For best results, plant the Japanese Blueberry tree in a location that receives full sunlight. Due to its compact growth habit, it can be placed within four feet of a structure. However, if you intend to use it as an accent plant along a walkway or patio, make sure to space it at least 30 to 40 feet away.
When planting, dig a hole at least twice as wide as the tree’s root ball. Mix 50 percent hummus with the soil and add it to the hole, then place the tree’s root system into the mixture and tamp down the soil to eliminate air pockets. While the Japanese Blueberry tree grows well in most soil types, it prefers a soil pH between 6.6 to 7.8. Select a well-draining planting location to ensure the tree’s roots are not continuously saturated with water.
For the first few years after planting, keep the soil around the Japanese Blueberry tree moist but not overly wet. Once the tree is fully established, it is somewhat drought-tolerant and will only need to be watered during extended periods of dry or hot weather.
Fertilizing your Japanese blueberry tree is an essential step in maintaining its health and growth. Apply a general purpose fertilizer in the early spring season before new growth emerges, following the instructions on the label for application ratios.
In addition to fertilizer, it is also recommended to add a layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree each growing season. This two to three-inch layer of mulch will not only supplement the soil, but it will also help control weed growth and retain moisture in the soil.
Pruning is another important aspect of caring for your Japanese blueberry tree. The tree can be pruned in its youth to form an attractive shape or maintained in its natural growth pattern. Without pruning, the tree can grow up to 60 feet tall, but it can easily be sheared to any desired size. Winter months, when the tree is dormant, are the best time to prune.
The Japanese blueberry tree is an exceptionally hardy plant that is not known to suffer from any major diseases or pests. However, it is not frost-tolerant and may suffer damage during a frost. In the event of a frost, cover the plant with a blanket or sheet to protect it. If there is tip damage or dieback due to an unusual spring frost, prune away the affected areas.
