Hovenia dulcis

Hovenia dulcis is a beautiful ornamental tree bearing unusual partly edible fruits, which earned it its name of Chinese Raisin Tree. The fleshy petioles that bear its fruits are consumed, particularly in Japan and China. Their flavour, somewhat sweet and sugary, recalls that of pears, figs or currants depending on one's palate. It is also very ornamental due to its discreetly exotic appearance: it bears large leaves with a shiny finish, nicely coloured in autumn, and in winter reveals grey bark that has long cracks on aged specimens. If its petioles are a delicacy for humans, its panicles of yellowish-white flowers literally drive bees crazy in summer. It is easy to grow in temperate climates that are not too dry and in any type of neutral to slightly limestone soil provided it is correctly drained. A tree to discover!

The Hovenia genus only contains two species of deciduous Asian tree, but only Hovenia dulcis is cultivated. Belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, it is native to Japan, eastern China and Korea, and widespread in the Himalayas up to an altitude of 2000 m (6561 ft). This tree with a single trunk develops a rounded crown carried by a rather high fork. It will reach 8 to 10 m (26 ft to 32 ft) in height by 4 to 5 m (13 ft to 16 ft) in width in temperate climates. Its growth is moderately rapid, in the region of 20 to 30 cm (7.9 to 11.8 in) per year depending on the growing conditions. It bears a deciduous foliage, composed of large and quite soft ovate to cordiform leaves, 10-15 cm (3.9-5.9 in) long, which are strongly veined. They are arranged alternately on slightly trailing branches and their colour is a satin grey-green, becoming golden-yellow in October. Flowering takes place in July-August. At the end of the branches appear inflorescences of 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) in diameter, composed of small whitish flowers, which are extremely melliferous. After pollination, the fruits form while the peduncles that carry them begin to swell. They then take on a characteristic fleshy and nodose appearance and a translucent brown colour. At their end, small round and brown fruits develop, which are not edible. The fruits of the Chinese Raisin Tree ripen in September-October, when the peduncles measure almost 20 cm (7.9 in). Their sweet taste simultaneously evokes dried grapes, pears, dried figs or jujubes. The peduncles are consumed once they have fallen to the ground (either as they are, or alternatively cooked in compote or jam or even dried). Ten-year-old and older specimens display a long cracked grey bark that further enhances the charm of this decidedly unusual tree.

Hovenia dulcis is beautiful planted in a grove at the back of flower beds, or isolated, in a wild-style garden, a curious garden or even in large Japanese scenes. It is exotic enough to attract the eye, but it also knows how to blend into a more classic landscape and its good adaptation to temperate climates allows it to be adopted in many regions. It is both very hardy (down to -20 °C (-4 °F)) and not demanding on the nature of the soil. However, it requires sun and a certain degree of heat to be able to flower and fruit abundantly.