Japanese medlar is an evergreen large shrub or tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. It originates from the hilly regions of China, but has long been transported and acclimatized throughout the Mediterranean area. Exotic fruit tree is often used in the exterior of buildings, parks and gardens. It can grow up to 5-8 m. height, but is most common as a species up to 4 m tall with a wide rounded crown, small trunk and wavy branches. The leaves are hard, up to 40 cm long and 13 cm wide, "wrinkled", densely hairy and light green below, finely hairy and dark green to glossy above. The Chinese plum, as it is also called, blooms at an unusual time, as the flowers are bisexual, gathered in upright clustered inflorescences, white petals and abundant nectar. The flowers are especially durable and in our conditions appear in late autumn or early winter and persist until the first frosts. The fruits ripen from spring to mid-summer and have an oval shape and a yellow-orange color, similar to a plum. The flesh is juicy, slightly sour and slightly tart. The plant begins to bear fruit in the 5th - 6th year, depending on whether it is ennobled, rooted or from seed generation.
In the season of the golden autumn, every visitor of UBG Balchik can see flowering Eriobotrya japonica in the Nursery garden or Gethsemane garden.