Never had a Jujuba? Well, you're not alone. Ziziphus jujuba is a delectable native of China that has been cultivated there for over 4,000 years. The small fruit most closely resembles a date when dried, and has a crispy texture and sweet, apple-like flavor when fresh. A little care goes a long way with this tree. The tree will obtain a height of 30 feet and favors River Willow, with shiny, emerald green leaves. Spring brings long chains of small, fragrant, yellow, star-like flowers. A fantastic shade tree all summer long and in the fall the leaves turn a rich yellow before dropping. Jujubas are self-pollinating.

Jujuba Varieties

AUTUMN BEAUTY Jujube (or jujuba) trees are amazingly lovely, with their shiny willowy leaves and gnarly trunks. This variety is an early-ripening one, sweet and dark. According to Chinese herbal lore, jujube is good for just about every ailment, including but not limited to: “…helps to the growth of hair, smoothes coarse voice, strengthens memory and heals coughing.” Plus, you can make a cake with them! What's not to like? Zones 6-10. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

GA-866 Shiny plump reddish-brown fruit is 1.5-2 inches long, with a sugar content higher than in other jujube varieties, and a sweet apple-like flavor. Jujuba is considered a great natural detoxifier, useful in alternative medicine. Can be candied and dried, eaten fresh, or cooked in a variety of ways. The tree itself is a lovely landscape speciman with thin shiny leaves and interesting bark, growing to about 15-20 feet tall. Fruit ripens in mid- to late September. Zones 6-10. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft). Available Fall 2010.

SHERWOOD Bell-shaped fruit about 1.5 inches in diameter. Large grower, up to 25 foot. When ripe is a light mahogany color with a sweet maple syrup-flavored white flesh. Ripens in September. Zones 6-10. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft). Available Fall 2010.

SO Dwarf trees with an odd, zig-zag , weeping growth habit. Makes a great speciman tree. Fruit is very large and round with a crisp apple-like flavor. Ripens in August. Zones 6-10. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft). Available Fall 2010.

TIGERTOOTH Long and thin, the tigertooth variety looks just like dates ripening on the tree. Harvest when crinkly brown and dry or pack in a jar filled with honey for a delicious winter candy. Ripens September. On own roots. Zones 6-10. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

Just the Facts

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Please come to see us if you can (Wednesday to Sunday, 9:05-5:08). We are located 19 miles south of Tallahassee, just off US Highway 98, 1 mile east of the intersection with US Highway 319 (South of Crawfordville center and actually in the village of Medart). If you need further directions, feel free to call us at 1-850-926-5644 or enter 30 St. Frances St. Crawfordville FL 32327 (or Just Fruits Nursery) into Google Maps ( CLICK HERE).