Chinese date (Ziziphus): decorative qualities of the exotic shrub

Jujube, or Chinese date, trees are newcomers to central European gardens. Plant lovers soon noticed the shrub's beauty. They also enjoyed the fruit's unique taste and vitamins. These fruits offer something new to home gardens.

The true jujube comes from subtropical India and China. There, the tree grows wild. It can reach 30 feet tall in warmer areas. In colder European climates, growth slows. It usually stops around 6 feet.

This tree is also called jujube or unabi in parts of Asia. These names refer to its small, sweet, red fruits. The plant can handle dry weather well. It also survives winter temperatures down to -18 degrees.

Young trees need cover in their first winters to survive. Plant scientists in China, Tajikistan, and Moldova breed hardier types. They want jujubes to grow well in more places.