Ziziphus jujuba

The Common Jujube, in Latin Ziziphus jujuba, is a small fruit tree of Chinese origin that was once widely planted in the Mediterranean region, especially in orchards. These small reddish and fleshy fruits, called jujubes or sometimes Chinese dates were harvested in autumn and winter to be consumed cooked, dried or candied. In ornamental gardens, the jujube offers beautiful glossy foliage that turns golden yellow in autumn, the winter presence of its cracked, almost black bark, and a discreet but fragrant and very nectar-rich flowering. 

The Ziziphus jujuba is a small tree with thorny branches and foliage growing from China to Asia Minor, mostly on chalky, dry, clayey soils. It belongs to the family of Rhamnaceae. It is a cousin of Rhamnus alaternus (Italian buckthorn), Frangula (Buckthorn), but also of Ceanothus. It is a self-fertile plant, capable of living for many years in the garden. The jujube has a robust root system, both deep and extensive: an established specimen is capable, when cut back to the ground, of producing numerous shoots emerging more than 10 m (33ft) from the base, which are challenging to get rid of. This trait is not ideal for a small garden but is perfect for creating impenetrable thickets or defensive hedges on the edge of a large property.

This small tree with a single or multiple trunk has an erect habit and a bushy crown supported by fairly flexible and trailing branches. It grows quickly, reaching about 6 m (20ft) in height and 3 m (10ft) in width, depending on the growing conditions. Its bark becomes very dark and rough with age. The tree has thorny branches that are dark brown, and they bear small lanceolate leaves with short petioles. The leaves are leathery, finely toothed on the edge, and measure 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) long. Three veins mark them, and the upper side of the lamina is shiny. The flowering takes place from June to August, depending on the climate, in the form of tiny yellowish to greenish flowers devoid of petals grouped in small clusters in the axils of the leaves. They are not very visible but pleasantly fragrant, attracting many pollinating insects. The flowers are followed by fruits on plants at least 5 years old. These are small ovoid drupes that resemble olives—their colour changes from light green to reddish-brown when ripe. The fruit has little pulp surrounding the hard stone. Over-ripe fruit has a date-like consistency and a mildly sweet taste.

In a favourable climate, the common jujube can be planted in an orchard and an ornamental garden alongside fruiting pomegranates, olive trees, fig-trees, and grapevines. If not grown for its fruits, it is perfectly possible to integrate it into a living or defensive hedge, where it can be planted with hawthorn, Pyracantha, Japanese quince, and thorny roses such as Rosa rugosa or the climbing 'Mermaid'. All these plants are undemanding, perfectly self-sufficient once established, ornamental, and valuable for biodiversity.