Elaeocarpus

( el - ee - oh - KAR - pus )

At-A-Glance Information

This evergreen genus, commonly known as Silver Dollar Tree or Blue Berry Tree, is filled with species which need full sun and regular water to perform best, and are native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans as well as Asia. There are both trees and shrubs in this evergreen (sometimes briefly deciduous) genus, all with simple leaves, flowers and usually bluish fruits. These trees and shrubs can serve as great screening plants for privacy, windbreaks, street and shade trees, and as background plantings. Take care when planting these trees and shrubs in the landscape, as some plant parts are toxic to animals.

Elaeocarpus species and varietals

The genus Elaeocarpus is a member of the plant family Elaeocarpaceae and includes almost 500 species. Japanese Blueberry Tree grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8b-11b or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 14-24 and H1. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Elaeocarpus angustifolius (Elaeocarpus grandis) (Utrasum Bean Tree, Woodenbegar, Indian Bean Tree, Indian Oil Tree, Genitri, Blue Marble Tree)
These trees are impressive, commonly forming buttress root systems above-ground and reaching 130 feet tall at maturity. They are fast growers. This species is evergreen, and produces creamy white flowers followed by round blue fruits (produced after plants reach about 3-4 years of age). Indian Bean Tree is native to New Caledonia through India and northern Australia. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i and Samoa.

Elaeocarpus arnhemicus (Blue Plum, Blue Quandony, Arnhem Land Quandong)
Native to northern Australia, New Guinea, Timor, and some of the Indonesian islands, this species forms a shrub or tree that can reach a maximum height of between 50 and 150 feet tall at maturity. Flowers are white and fruits that follow are metallic and blue.

Elaeocarpus bancroftii (Kuranda Quandong, Johnstone River Almond, Ebony Heart, Grey Nut, Nut Tree)
These trees and shrubs are native to rainforests in Queensland, Australia. They have thick leaves, produce white flowers from March through June, and bear large dull grey to blue-green fruits. Mature trees can reach up to 98 feet tall in their native environments, though in gardens they typically stay under 32 feet tall.

Elaeocarpus culminicola (Michael's Quandong)
These plants are native to Malesia and Australasia, and have wavy, glossy green leaves. Flowers are creamy-white to pink and have a strong and somewhat unpleasant smell. Fruits that follow flowers are bright blue. Trees commonly reach about 80 feet tall when mature. Leaves are green, glossy, and have wavy margins.

Elaeocarpus decipiens (Elaeocarpus sylvestris ellipticus) (Japanese Blueberry Tree)
This evergreen species and is native to Japan and China. New foliage is rusty and hairy, and turns smooth and bright green at maturity. Older leaves drop off the plant, first turning red. Summertime blooms are small, white and fragrant, and they are followed by small blue-black fruits. These trees do well as street and lawn trees. Variety 'Little Emperor' is a slow grower with dense foliage to 6-10 feet tall and wide with twisted leaves, and is a great choice for a hedge or screening plant.

Elaeocarpus holopetalus (Black Olive Berry, Mountain Blueberry, Mountain Quandong)
Endemic to eastern Australia, this species forms a shrub or small tree that reaches between 16 and 52 feet tall on average (though some specimens have been seen at 82 feet tall). Bark is smooth and dark grey or brown. Flowers are white, sometimes flushed with pink tones, and bloom between November and December in the plant's native range. Fruits that follow are maroon and mature to blackish when ripe.

Elaeocarpus kirtonii (Silver Quandong, White Quandong, Brown Hearted Quandong, Brownheart, Mountain Beech, Mowbullan Whitewood, Pigeonberry Ash, White Beech)
This species is endemic to eastern Australia, where it commonly grows in rainforest areas. Trees typically reach about 100 feet tall at maturity and produce buttress roots. New foliage is salmon-pink, maturing to dull green. Flowers are sweet-scented and white, appearing from January through March in the tree's native range. Fruits are pale blue and ovular.

Elaeocarpus reticulatus (Blueberry Ash, Ash Quandong, Blue Olive Berry, Fairy Petticoats, Fringe Tree, Koda, Lily of the Valley Tree, Scrub Ash)
Endemic to eastern Australia, this species forms a shrub or small tree that typically reach 35 feet tall (though they can reach up to 98 feet at maturity). In October through January, these trees are covered with white to pinkish flowers. Fruits that follow are blue and round. This species is considered invasive in New South Wales, Australia.

Elaeocarpus serratus (Ceylon Olive)
These medium to large trees are native to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Assam, and other areas of the northern Indian subcontinent. Flowers are most open in the late afternoon, and are cream-colored to white. Wood is white-yellow. This is the type species for the genus Elaeocarpus. It is considered invasive in Hong Kong, Reunion, and Mauritius.

Caring for Elaeocarpus

Take care when planting these trees and shrubs in the landscape, as some plant parts are toxic to animals. Plant Elaeocarpus, or Blue Berry Tree, in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. When they are young, they can take partial shade, and appreciate afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak (typically between 2 and 3 PM). They should be spaced 4-8 feet apart for dense screening and 8 to 15 feet apart for specimens or shade trees. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these trees have moderate water needs, though they can tolerate short dry periods. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. These trees and shrubs do not need much in the way of pruning for shape; they typically take on a handsome form when left to their own devices. These trees have a moderate to long lifespan, and are able to survive in most landscapes for between 20 and 50 years or more under optimal growing conditions. They are moderate-growing, and will reach maturity and begin flowering in just 3-5 years.

Propagation

Elaeocarpus can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Elaeocarpus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch semi-hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage the new shrub.

Propagating Elaeocarpus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a bowl, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. Seeds are contained inside of the fruits produced by these trees and shrubs, and are ready to be harvested in late fall to winter (typically in November or December). Fruits will begin to drop from their attachments; this is a great time to pick the berries and remove the seeds inside. Once the seeds have been removed, rinse them under water to remove any remaining flesh. Next, place the seeds in a bowl and submerge them in lukewarm water. Leave them soaking overnight.
The next day, water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home

Elaeocarpus fruits are typically round or ovular, and can be green-blue to blue in color when they are ripe.

Elaeocarpus seeds are typically light brown, and are ready for harvesting in November or December.

Problems and Pests

Certain species of Elaeocarpus shrubs are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Elaeocarpus trees and shrubs are generally pest and disease resistant, though they can have issues with the following from time to time: