Jujubes : A tasty, crunchy fruit you’ve likely never heard of before!
Ziziphus jujuba is a rare and unique fruiting tree known as jujube, red date, or Chinese date. They typically grow into beautiful small trees perfect for small spaces or even large pots reaching about 8-10 feet tall. They have an attractive zig-zag branching pattern that is particularly beautiful in winter when the leaves have fallen revealing the architecture of the tree. Their bark is also greyish to silvery and quite beautiful.
The small greenish fragrant flowers appear in spring and produce oval fruit that looks like dates. They are about an inch long with chestnut brown to reddish burgundy skin and are harvested in autumn. The fruit has a whitish to greenish flesh and can be eaten when crisp like an apple or when dried. The flavour is most similar to that of a delicate apple. They can be very sweet or can be a refreshing blend of sweet and subtly tart. When dried they taste like a date.
Culinary Uses and Historical Significance
Jujubes were first domesticated in Southwest Asia in 9000 BC and are today used in diverse culinary traditions across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. They can be eaten fresh or dried. They can be made into fresh drinks, teas, alcohols such as brandy or beer, or vinegar. They can be included in desserts or they can be candied or pickled or made into syrups, jams and jellies.
Self-Fertility and Growing Conditions
The flowers are partially self-fertile so you will get fruit with just one plant. However, two different cultivars will give you maximum production.
Jujubes enjoy full to part sun and are tolerant of average to somewhat dry conditions. They are tough trees and are hardy to zone 5 allowing the majority of Canadian gardeners to grow them outdoors!
Are you ready to grow a new fruit you’ve likely never heard of before?
We carry a number of different cultivars of jujube each year including:
Ziziphus jujuba Autumn Beauty – Jujube- Rhamnaceae
Ziziphus jujuba, jujube, red date, or Chinese date is a unique fruiting tree. Autumn Beauty is one of the best cultivars.
Ziziphus jujuba Coco – Jujube- Rhamnaceae
Ziziphus jujuba, jujube, red date, or Chinese date is a unique fruiting tree. Coco has a coconut-like flavour.
Ziziphus jujuba Black Sea – Jujube – Rhamnaceae
Ziziphus jujuba, jujube, red date, or Chinese date is a unique fruiting tree. Black Sea is especially sweet.
Ziziphus jujuba ‘Lang’ – Jujube – Rhamnaceae
Ziziphus jujuba, jujube, red date, or Chinese date is a unique fruiting tree. ‘Lang’ is a top cultivar.
Ziziphus jujuba ‘Li’ – Jujube — Rhamnaceae
Ziziphus jujuba ‘Li’ is a popular variety with very large, mahogany brown fruit that is sweet, crisp and flavourful.
If you’re looking to grow a unique and delicious fruit that you can’t get at the supermarket and that none of your friends will have, jujubes would be a great option! And the plants will also add beauty to your garden and patio.
Give Your Garden the Phoenix Perennials Touch:
At Phoenix Perennials we offer over 5000 different plants every year for in-person shopping at our garden centre and plant nursery in Richmond, British Columbia, part of Greater Vancouver. Additionally, we offer more than 3000 different plants each year for mail-order shipping across Canada. Stay connected with our diverse offerings and all things Phoenix Perennials by signing up for our E-Newsletter and Alerts and engaging with us on social media. Happy gardening!
