Hovenia Dulcis / Japanese Raisin tree Genus - Hovenia Species - Dulcis Common name - Japanese Raisin tree Pre-Treatment - Not-required Hardiness zones - 5 - 7 Height / spread - 30' / 10 m / 23' / 7 m Plant type - Tree Vegetation type - Deciduous Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Shade Growth rate - Medium Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline Soil type - Light (sandy), medium (loamy), wet soils Water requirements - High Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, edible fruits Leaf / Flower color - Green / -- Plant growth rate - Medium A fast growing tree that produces small raisin like fruit from the trunk. The Raisin Tree is deciduous and can grow to a height of 21m but is more commonly around 9m with a single trunk and a rounded head. They have large, glossy, green, cordate leaves which can be rather limp. The flowers are small but are clustered together in great masses and are cream in colour. The fleshy thickened fruit stalks, when dried, have the sweet flavour and texture of raisins and can be used in the same way. They have a pear-like flavour when ripe, which is when they fall to the ground. They may be small in size but are usually in copious amounts. The other beauty of these fruits is that you don't need to dry them.The brown pod which is actually the fruit is not used. Grows well in a fertile sandy loam in a sunny position. Although the dormant plant is hardy to at least -15c in Britain, it really prefers a continental climate to fully ripen its wood, it is then hardy to about -25c. The shoot tips are sometimes damaged by winter frosts in Britain and the young growth in spring can also be damaged by late frosts. The Japanese raisin tree is said to grow well in Cornwall, though our experience of this plant so far is that it is very difficult to establish. Perhaps older plants are as hardy as the reports above suggest, but younger plants are quite tender and often die in their first few winters outdoors. The Japanese raisin tree is cultivated for its edible fruit in Japan. Extra seeds The seeds are hand-selected. You will never receive fewer seeds than stated. We include extra seeds always as possible ! Packing The seeds are securely packed in plastic labeled bags. You will get every seed with printed germination instruction included. The online extended PDF version will be accesible as well. You will receive: Seeds packed in plastic labeled bags Printed germination instructions Shipping We will ship from FLORIDA, UNITED STATES on the same or next business day after payment cleared by USPS First Class Mail with the printed the propagation and germination instructions. But you should check additional Internet resources for proper germination methods. Delivery time depends on your location (we always ship on the same or next business day after cleared payment): US buyers - 2-5 days non-US buyers - 7-30 days. Discounts Powered by HobbySeeds