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| Botanical Name | Eriobotrya japonica 'Coppertone' |
| Description | The Coppertone loquat is one of Houston's most trusted evergreen ornamentals, recommended for decades by local garden experts as a superior alternative to red tip photinias — without the fungal disease problems. New growth emerges in a striking coppery-bronze before maturing to deep, glossy green. Fragrant pale pink flowers appear in fall, and in frost-free years, golden edible fruit follows in winter. As a patio tree form, lower branches are pruned to create a clean single trunk — an elegant specimen for courtyards, entryways, and patio containers. Thrives in Houston's clay soils and heat with very little fuss. Note: fire blight can occur if over-fertilized, so go easy on the nitrogen. |
| Exposure | Full Sun to Part Shade; adapts well to Houston's varied light conditions including filtered shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade is an ideal placement for patio container specimens. |
| Height x Width | Patio tree form typically maintained at 8–15 ft. tall x 8–10 ft. wide. Can be kept smaller with regular pruning. Left unpruned, may reach 20–30 ft. in the ground over many years. |
| Water | Low to moderate once established; very adaptable to both dry and moist conditions but will not tolerate standing water. Houston's clay soils hold moisture well — plant slightly above grade and mulch heavily to keep roots from sitting in soggy soil during wet seasons. Drought tolerant once established. |
| Zones | USDA Zones 8–10; well suited for Houston's Zone 9a. Established trees handle light freezes well. Protect young patio container trees if temperatures drop below 28°F. |
| Fertilization | Feed lightly once in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Avoid heavy nitrogen applications — over-fertilizing is the primary cause of fire blight in Houston. One light feeding per year is sufficient for established trees. |
| Pruning | Prune after flowering to avoid removing current season's blooms. To maintain patio tree form, regularly remove lower shoots and suckers from the trunk. Can be pruned 1–2 times per year to manage size. Inspect monthly for scale, caterpillars, or fire blight and treat early for best results. |
| Deer Resistance | Moderate; generally deer resistant |
| Botanical Name | Eriobotrya japonica 'Coppertone' |
| Description | The Coppertone loquat is one of Houston's most trusted evergreen ornamentals, recommended for decades by local garden experts as a superior alternative to red tip photinias — without the fungal disease problems. New growth emerges in a striking coppery-bronze before maturing to deep, glossy green. Fragrant pale pink flowers appear in fall, and in frost-free years, golden edible fruit follows in winter. As a patio tree form, lower branches are pruned to create a clean single trunk — an elegant specimen for courtyards, entryways, and patio containers. Thrives in Houston's clay soils and heat with very little fuss. Note: fire blight can occur if over-fertilized, so go easy on the nitrogen. |
| Exposure | Full Sun to Part Shade; adapts well to Houston's varied light conditions including filtered shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade is an ideal placement for patio container specimens. |
| Height x Width | Patio tree form typically maintained at 8–15 ft. tall x 8–10 ft. wide. Can be kept smaller with regular pruning. Left unpruned, may reach 20–30 ft. in the ground over many years. |
| Water | Low to moderate once established; very adaptable to both dry and moist conditions but will not tolerate standing water. Houston's clay soils hold moisture well — plant slightly above grade and mulch heavily to keep roots from sitting in soggy soil during wet seasons. Drought tolerant once established. |
| Zones | USDA Zones 8–10; well suited for Houston's Zone 9a. Established trees handle light freezes well. Protect young patio container trees if temperatures drop below 28°F. |
| Fertilization | Feed lightly once in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Avoid heavy nitrogen applications — over-fertilizing is the primary cause of fire blight in Houston. One light feeding per year is sufficient for established trees. |
| Pruning | Prune after flowering to avoid removing current season's blooms. To maintain patio tree form, regularly remove lower shoots and suckers from the trunk. Can be pruned 1–2 times per year to manage size. Inspect monthly for scale, caterpillars, or fire blight and treat early for best results. |
| Deer Resistance | Moderate; generally deer resistant |