The Indian Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), also named Chinese Date, can look back on more than 4000 years of cultural history and has been introduced into Europe as early as the year 0. In mediterranean countries it is therefore regarded as native plant. In China and India it is nowadays cultivated in plantations and as important as is the apple in our country- especially because it is very easy to cultivate (free of insect pests, adaptable) and produces rich harvest every year. The fruits reach a size of 2-3 cm. They are egg-shaped and ripen until autumn when the golden coloured pinnate leaves already start falling. A puce, thin peel encloses the whitish pulp with its single seed. The fruit tastes only approximately like apple: it has an own, specific Jujube-aroma. In arid cultivating areas the fruits are left on the trees to be dried by the sun. With their wrinkled skin they then look like Dates- hence its name Chinese Date. Even very young plants with an age of 2-4 years start fruiting. The flowers are yellow and have a slight fragrance. They are self-fertile and are pollinated by insects. The plants with their grey bark at first grow with very fine branches. As they get older, the thorned branches grow thicker to an unformal, elegant crown that is decorated with pinnate leaves from spring to autumn. Chinese Dates are said to be hardy down to a temperature of minus 20°. In this country it is possible to plant Indian Jujuba in the garden if you are living in a region with mild winter (Rhine valley, coastal areas). It is advisable to protect the plant in winter with small twigs or with fleece from the winter sun. Potted plants should be wintered indoors. Due to the leafless crown it can manage even with little light and warmth in winter. Quality: edible fruits; harvest even with young plants possible; no variation in harvest; elegant growth; robust & hardy; easy to winter Use: in pots from April outside on balcony, terrace or winter garden - during winter indoors; all year planted in a plant bed in a winter garden; planted in the garden (regions with mild winter)

Family: Rhamnaceae Origin: Iran, Central-Asia, Tibet, India, China, Japan, established in mediterranean coutries Winter Hardiness Zone: 8-10 Minimum Temperature: -15 °C Average Temp. in Winter: 5 (±8)°C

Flower: early summer, yellow Fruit: chinese date Form/Growth: tree Height: 2-4 m Location: full sun to sun