I am a landscape architect in Miami. I just recently planted one in my home-200 Gallons- 18'-20' x 12' spread.
It looks beautifull. I also used it on a project of mine in Miami Beach on the Bay side. It can take some salt spray.
I have been assured by nursery growers that the tree being from Japan can take that salt spray but not directly from the strong winds and continuous salt spray from the ocean side.
What I dont know is how aggresive are the roots. However, oaks, mahogany trees have aggresive roots and they are being planted in 6' wide parking island here. This is wrong and I don't use these large trees for small islands. In your case 12' wide island seems ideal for the elaeocarpus. You will love it. For me here in Miami I have a diversity of trees that I can use for parking lots. I would use this tree more as accent or to line up a roadway or entry feature as long as they are planted 6'-8' from the edge of pavement. I am in Zone 10-11. I hope I was able to help.

I planted 30 Japanese Blueberry shrubs around my pool about two months ago. I purchased the plants from a nursery that I trust and they recommended this plant as a privacy screen and tolerant of desert sun and heat. I amended the soil per their instructions and about two weeks after planting the shrubs went into shock and started shedding dramatically. They are slowly sprouting new leaves but I'm wondering if there is something else I can do. How do I know if I'm over watering, under watering, ect; The temps here are still below 90 but the heat is coming!!!!

The Japanese Blueberry trees are FABULOUS! I do not know much about their root system, but I believe it is similar to a hearty shrub such as a wax leaf. The tree sheds a few leaves in the fall and early spring. We planted 5(15 gallon) along our brick fence in the back yard 4 yrs ago for privacy & noise from a nearby strip mall.The trees are now over 20FT and very healthy. The berries did not appear for 2+ yrs. We have been unable to find them in the Houston area since 2004. Luckily, some berries fell in potted plants under the trees and we have 3 nice sprouts we are raising to complete the perimeter of the fence. We highly recommend this species & have not had problems with disease. The berries do not stain, however, we do not know if they are poisonous to animals/humans.

We recently bought a 2yr old home that has 11 of these. One is trained as a tree, and the others are bushes that are planted along the fence line in the back and side. Two are on either side of the garage surrounded by cement with about 3ft opening in the planter. These two are about 6 ft. tall and 3-4 ft. in diameter and are pruned in a cone shape. I certainly DON'T want them to destroy the driveway with rising roots. If these plants are not good for small openings in cement, I'd like to know before they get too big to replace.

Thanks!

I live in South FL. Can anyone tell me where they purchases there Japanese Blueberry shrubs and how much they paid for them?

Thanks

i planted a japanese blueberry at my lake house near navasota tx zone 8b , it turned brown lost all its leaves after last winters frost which had a wind chill factor of 11 degrees farenheit,it was well watered and fertilized , i was surprised as it cost so much and my landscaper raved about them in houston but apparently it does not seem cold hardy much below 20 degrees f, so it is putting out new shoots now but i will be transplanting it back to houston at my other house . and planting a native tree form yaupon in its place -they grow wild up here so i know it will survive unscathed, thanks,Leah Doyle

Last May, I planted 7 20-gallon Japanese Blueberry trees that we got from a reputable local nursery. I wanted a fast-growing privacy screen. The trees have been the most disappointing plants I have ever bought. Like the "dennis grower" post above, I amended the soil as recommended by the nursery. They lost their leaves, two of them died, and the rest have not grown one inch since they were planted. The leaves have reappeared but are are sparse. They are ugly - with lots of brown spots on the leaves - and certainly not going to be the privacy screen I was hoping for any time soon. Extremely disappointed in this plant choice. Any recommendations on how to get these plants to green up and grow?

In October 2010 I had 7 24-gal Japanese blueberry trees professionally planted. They survived the winter in Las Vegas beautifully. But about a month ago (March 2011), the leaves started turning red, some with brown spots as noted by the previous poster (westlakewoman), and now the trees have dropped three-fourths of their leaves and still dropping. I have taken leaf specimens to 2 nurseries and have been given different explanations: need more water, tree in shock due to fluctuating hot and cold weather, molting period. Bottom line is that they now look horrid. Initially, I thought they were attacked by a fungus and sprayed them with a systemic fungicide (3 times), but that wasn't it. One tree now looks dead, with ALL its leaves dried and fallen. I am just totally bewildered.

I have a japanese bluberry tree. Ibought in jan from a good nursery it has lost all it's leaves. Is it worth keeping or is it dead.

This is a follow-up to my 4-19-11 post. In March, my Japanese blueberry trees went through a massive leaf drop. Out of the original 7 trees planted, 6 recovered their leaves (one tree died) but then in mid-May they again went through another massive drop. In frustration I took cuttings and leaves to a professional arborist, who determined that my trees are neither diseased nor bug-infested but most likely unhealthy specimens when I purchased them and are more susceptible to environmental changes. My trees came from Moon Valley nursery in Las Vegas, so I will not be doing business with them again.

I planted my Japanese Blueberry about 2 years ago. For the person asking @ price. My tree was like a 5 gallon when I bought it... $50.00.
It is thriving and now really beginning to grow. The tree is about 12 feet tall and the trunk measures 4 inches in diameter.

Unfortunately, I now realize that it will be too large for the area. I have to move it.

I have been looking on the internet regarding transplanting it ...keeping root ball intact PH, drainage....and dormancy. I am a bit worried, I do not want to lose the tree and I do not want to hire a professional tree mover.

Is late winter the best time to transplant this evergreen tree? I would appreciate any experiences with transplanting an established blueberry tree.

I fell in love with this tree at Moon Nursery but they were WAY overpriced so I went to Star Nursery. The tag said they could get 6 hours of full sun. The person I talked to said he had two in his drive way and several larger versions were on display in full sun. I bought 6 of them at Star Nursery for $20. I bought everthing to give them a healthy start...potting soil, gold dust and Dr. Q's tonic. I planted them on the south east wall and within 2 days they were pretty much fried! I went back and they told me that they should only get morning sun. I am so frustrated because I like the size, shape and color of the leaves but i will be putting in a pool and don't want a tree that sheds. This seemed like the perfect solution. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

I have 12 very large Japanese Blueberry Trees purchased at Moon Valley Nursery 4 years ago. If you purchased something for 20.00, you must have gotten a tiny shrub which cannot take the intense July heat. My trees all face west and get sun from sun up to sun down. You need to plant here in the desert either in the early Spring or late Sept and still use the transplant Vitamin B1? liquid available Moon or Star Nurseries. And they need lots of water and mulch around them to keep the moisture in the ground, rocks will burn them.

I have 18 Japanese Blueberry trees planted in Las Vegas, NV.
I purchased them in 15 gal containers, so they were about two inch diameter trunk and 10' to 12' tall. They are planted near perimeter walls on the "East" and "South" side of our property. They have not done well, but with that said, I do not believe I have had the best advise on growing them.
Here is where I am now, three years later and I think I have actually lost 14 of them, but had the nursery replace them as they died.
1. Make sure your watering is adjusted to allow full saturation of the ground to depth of root ball. Then "Do Not" water again until surface is dry. (consider season) Too much water will not allow the tree to breath.
2. Make sure to prepare the soil to reduce the Nevada alkali prone character, so lots of sulpher and Iron. I believe these trees prefer a more acidic soil than we have in the desert.
3. Try to make sure to keep the trees as far as reasonable from block walls, considering mature sized tree. So I would try to plant at least 4 to 5 feet from wall, by the time they reach 8 to 10' diameter, they should be hardened to the heat.
4. Try to avoid West and South exposure if possible.
5. Keep a keen eye for borer's.. If you get a portion of the tree that looks weak or dying, treat immediately and repeat in two to three weeks.
I am not a professional here and am weary of mentioning products, but will respond if asked.
ps notice that I have done all the wrong things, but am hopeful. I really like these trees..

On March 2008 I wrote in this web site about Japanese Blueberry Tree. (See March 4, 2008)
My home is a bit eclectic as I use it as an experiment on various plant materials for observation.
I planted my tree approx. 8' from driveways edge.
After 5 years of observation of my Japanese Blueberry tree, here are my recommendations as to location uses:
The tree is now 28' high x 22' spread and a 12" caliper trunk.
1. Do not plant near a patio or driveway. I have encounter massive seed droppings and some staining. This is the first year after 5 years that I have notice the blueberry seeds. I am now prepare to cut back severely and see how it reacts in the next few months. I am also going to root prune as the root system looks like it is pushing my concrete driveway. No damage yet to driveway or uplifting.
2. Do not use in parking lot islands.
3. Do use it as a screen and barrier, but maintain it at a desire height as it will grow to a large tree.
4. It also seems as the tree as started to slow down. Not seen any flowers yet.
5. It would seem to be some sort of food for wildlife, as I have seen possum and birds eating it.
6. Not seen butterflies
The tree is still beautiful.
So give room to this tree. My initial recommendations still holds true with the exception for parking lots or near driveways unless you are prepare to be pruning branches every year.
I can't wait until this spring to see the blossoms of the tree for the first time.
I hope this helps.

Will these trees grow in alkaline soil? Regular blueberries wont' grow here. Does that mean this tree won't either?

Thx for any feedback.
Xtal

I planted 4 of these trees in my backyard along a brick fence 11 yrs ago and have been very happy with them. They have grown to over 20 ft in height. Mine have produced berries 3 of the 11 yrs. They are evergreens and in the Houston Area thus far have been heat n cold resistant. They do shed leaves year round & the roots are aggressive so be careful & mindful where you plant them. Iam trying to find out how to root from a branch of one of these trees.

I lived on the north side of San Antonio and planted a 6' tall japanese blueberry tree under the canopy of a large oak tree. Very rocky ground in the area. In 10 years it grew to about 20' tall and about 10-12" wide. Very healthy even though it lived in mostly shade with dappled sunlight. Leaves never turned fully into fall colors but about 30% of leaves turned golden/red before being replaced with new green leaves. Beautiful. Very low maintenance. I never saw blueberry seeds or pods, maybe because of not enough sun? I recently moved to the country south of San Antonio and planted 3 in very sandy soil, 2 in full sun and 1 under an oak canopy. Doing very well, but this time have a ton of blueberries. Trying to find out if they are poisonous??? Love the trees but have dogs!

sandysalinas05, I have 3 dogs; the 2 weiner dogs are like goats & eat any n everything. They ate the berries from the Japanese Blueberry trees & never got sick. But, I would check into it to be sure. Maybe ask your Vet. I moved from Houston Area in June 2015 to the country near Smithville, TX. I plan to plant some of these trees in my front yard next spring. If I find anything out about the berries, I'll let you know & ask if you will do the same, please? Tha k you & God Bless. ~Marilyn Dunn

I discovered this species looking at Houzz's landscape pictures for the Houston metro area. Today I went to a local nursery (Cornelius) and they had at least two varieties--a regular one that reaches 40-60' high and 20' wide, and a dwarf species "Little Emperor" that reaches 6-8' high and 6-8' wide. I'm considering putting the dwarf variety also my my back fence, which is 10' away from our pool. I believe I read they prefer more alkaline soil. I'll have to keep doing research--I'm nervous after reading a few of your stories about them turning brown.

A comment related to dora hong, I too am from Las Vegas and had this tree recommended and planted by a professional landscaper. It also came from Moon Nursery. The tree failed in the summer heat but was under warranty so it was replaced this past Spring.

By mid June the leaves dropped or browned. The plant is now dead for sure. It was planted near a block wall in my desert, Mediterranean landscape. Now I see that someone posted that rock should be avoided as it will burn it? Really? Why did the landscaping company not realize that? Very disappointed in this tree and will not replant it.

It was a poor choice overall for where the "professional" placed it as it apparently grows quite large and needs room to thrive. I am now seeking a smaller, heat tolerant plant for the small space it will call home.

Who knows? I guess the Japanese Blueberry gods knew better!

Patrice, did MoonValley plant it too? A family member in Vegas had another unrelated tree purchased from them, but planted by someone else, and I saved it before it completely died, but it appeared due to incompetent planting... I'm curious to know if there is a tend.

We used Moon Valley in Las Vegas for our front and backyard remodel and they are awesome! We tore out the japanese blueberry trees that the seller planted and went with palms, fruit trees and jasmine in the back -ocotillo and Mexican cactus in the front. I wanted low maintenance and less leaves in the pool

After a lot of research I put this tree on my back patio about 15 years ago. Biggest mistake I ever made! Constantly drops leaves! The dried blooms are the messiest thing ever! I cuss the tree every time I sweep the patio. Thinking of removing - even if it is the perfect size to block the view of the telephone. That's how much I don't like it.

They did not survive the Houston freeze of 2021. Ugh

I live in San Antonio... I have three Japanese Blueberry trees. How will know know if they are not going to survive, after the 2021 freeze. They are 4-5 years old.

IF I may suggest, look up the native trees and shrubs. They will have what you want AND they will feed the pollinators. Plants whose roots can be traced back to China don't feed our wildlife. No wonder they are in decline. There are some great native plants.

Ligustrums are extremely invasive. We have areas in Central Texas that is nothing but Ligustrums, meaning no native plants, like wise, no wildlife can survive in that area. Ligustrum was the first plant that I cut down when I move here.

Check with your local Ag office to get through to your county's Master Gardeners. Ask for their Plant Sale dates and GO.

As far as testing any plant that you suspect might be gone, do the Scratch Test. Scratch the test farther out on the limbs. If you don't see any green, then go down the limb, closer to the trunk and scratch again. It don's take much to reveal green. I'm not pruning anything back until I see plants coming back to life and starting to leaf out.

Mine is still brown after the freeze but so are my citrus which are green underneath. I’m waiting another month to see if the tree bounces back. It’s a messy tree to have by the pool since it drops leaves twice a year and berries, but it’s still pretty and older and I’d hate to lose it.

NW Houston--Our church had healthy--10 year old--Japanese blueberry trees. The freeze made them turn brown. They cut them and the palms down. They did not cut the small one in the garden area, or the palms. My houses ligustrums--45 yr old)-were pruned Feb 1--they lost all leaves, but have budded out all over recently-this last week -End March. I had fed them iron. My red tip photinia had been topped. 4 have just grown better. 2 have grown new growth from the ground, and the last one is half growth and half hanging on. It has a healthy spirea blooming great by it. The Mock orange lost all growth(30 yr old)--Now its has full green leaves and a few blooms coming. May take some rooted cuttings for church garden.

@megan freeman I too live in San Antonio and have a huge Japanese Blueberry tree. It's brown and I just don't know if I need to do anything with it. You have any more info? My IG is creative.danno

This plant was relatively new in Houston in last 5 yrs it is very nice looking and grows cery fast once established. I deep watered mine 1st year and if it was very dry after. Inbetween the irrigation system and rains were fine.

The older leaves do drop when new are produced. I didnt see any staining from the non edible berries.

Most large & healthy died in our rare freeze in Feb where temps were around 20 for a several days.

We rarely get below 25 and its ususally only a night or 2 max. Several varieties Holly trees did just fine.

Crepe Myrtles & ligustrum also poped back just fine.

Some of our communities Former 8-10 ft Oleanders may come back from roots, they typically do need cut back if it snows or temps are around 30.

Any updates on this? Anyone have any luck with Japanese blueberry after the Houston freeze? Anyone have one that survived and came back and not just growth the roots/bottom?

Mine is coming back!! All over the tree. It’s not dead. A few branches may need to come off but the large branches have leaves sprouting out.

That is awesome.. how large was your tree?

I am north of Houston in the Conroe/Montgomery area of Texas and I planted 7 Japanese blueberries from 30 gal pots (about 6-8ft tall) last October. I covered all of them, strung incandescent Christmas lights, and even put out warm 5 gal buckets of water under the cover with them each night.

2 survived fully, one had to be lopped in half down to 3-4 ft. The other 4 were dead to ground but showing new growth. On the other hand my 8 wax myrtles I planted at the same time are thriving. I think I am going to replace the blueberries that I cut to the ground with wax myrtles.

My tree is probably about 20 years old so it’s large. It makes a mess by the pool but it’s good shade and a barrier between me and my neighbors. Glad I don’t have to take it down. My same age wax myrtles aren’t doing well. They’re huge and the largest ones died so I’ll probably take them out. My smaller wax myrtles are doing fine. It may have been the end id the larger ones life span.

@Megan Freeman when did you start to see leaves coming back? How long did it take? Also, did you do the scratch test? Was the trunk always green or was it brown and it still came back anyway?

Had to cut mine down. I'm so sad. I'm in San Antonio. Had a huge Japanese Blueberry. It did not make it.

It actually didn’t scratch green. I don’t think they do. We were just waiting to see what happened and this last week all of a sudden new leaves started popping up along the l trunk and some of the larger branches! we may have to remove a few branches and most of the smaller branches are dead but it’s branches grow fast. It’s one of those trees you just have to wait and see. I would give it through the end of may. I’m in Houston.

Hi- I need advice! We naively and regretfully approved our initial landscapers plan of planting 8 Japanese blueberries by the pool. It is 2 years later, and yes, they have grown for good cover, BUT not are dropping so many leaves, then pollen then berries in the pool. it stinks and is so undesirable. I think taking them out is the right thing but unsure of how/who/cost and then what to replace them with. We are in Louisiana.

Hi, we are in the New Orleans area. We also have 7 Japanese blueberry trees along the fence and want to install a pool. How far from the pool are your trees?

@galadap are these japenese blueberry trees? I am in the same situation, same pool and need a privacy fence in the back? How are your trees? Are the roots invasive? Do the trees drop leaves and make a mess?

I don't see a pic. Def look them up. 1st year of ours the nuisance was leaves dropping so we had to chase and clean the pool daily for about 1 1/2 months twice. This is the second year and it was leaves then severe pollen for about 4 1/2 weeks, which was as severe and yellow as oak pollen, staining the pool and deck. Part of the terrible part with the pollen was that it was like fermenting mash on the ground in our rocks, attracting flies and bugs and very disgusting smelling. The berries will come later and I understand they will be horrible for the pool and grounds too.

@galadap Im referring to the picture you posted. Are those japenese blueberry? I live in Miami, Florida I’m wondering if our weather, the plants will react differently

Trees and pools are never a hood combo. maybe a palm but they have issues too. if you want shade use heavy umbrellas & be sure to close when not in full use.

Flowers like hibicus in containers are better (protect from freeze) or pots of seasonal color like vinca in summer and pansies in winter.

Post Houston Freeze update My 15 ft, 3.5 yr old Japanese blueberry took till May to show growth near base. I left it alone until last week when I decided to have the upper limbs and trunch cut back as there was no sign of growth there.

Its now a short squatty "tree" I plan to leave it til next year and then decide whats next...loose it or let it grow back its too hot yo plant a tree in summer.

These are pretty trees, the dark berries were there and not a problem. The leaves turn red when they finish their life span and then fall off. This is maybe half of the year that shedding occurs. This can be a tree form or trimmed as a large bush, either way if not pruned they get tall (I think I read 30 ft)

Note I was traveling during yhe freeze, this tree was not wrapped or lighted. It's in an East facing backyard on the North side next to a 7 ft fence.

Many of the Japanese Blueberries in my neighbor hood grew back from lower trunk only, various exposure light and air circulation seemed to effect the rate of regrowth.

PS any new tree needs deep water 1st year to establish roots, not just an irrigation system watering, hose running slow for an hour or so a few times a week.

If I replant this I think it will be a holly tree, they did very well thru the freeze.

Hope this helps!

fishyfine yes those are Japanese Blueberries. A major regret for us. Sharon Hoyt When we remove these (as my above post lamented, worst choice), we may go for palms or Holly.

Thanks for the advice Sharon Hoyt. I’m almost finished building my “Dream” pool. I have a two story in the back of my property and I need to plant something for privacy. I also was told weeping podocarpus is nice. I’ve gone to several nurseries in the Miami area, but no one really helps me.

Since I can't message any of you, I'd like to plant several Japanese Blueberrys right next to my pavers, but on the other side there's about 4ft to the sidewalk to grow. Has anyone had experience with these roots lifting pavers? I'm getting the ones with the tree trunk and the tree is on top, not the Christmas tree one. Edit: I'm in Central FL.