'Black Sea' Jujube

Black Sea Jujube is an Eastern European selection of the ancient Chinese date. This cold hardy jujube produces crisp, sweet fruit with a rich flavour that softens into a chewy, date-like texture when dried.

Black Sea jujube produces medium-sized fruit with a rich, honeyed sweetness and a hint of floral complexity. The fruit is crisp and apple-like when fresh, then softens and develops a concentrated, date-like flavour as it wrinkles. Dark reddish-black skins set it apart from common cultivars, while the taste is more intense and refined than Li or Lang. Highly prized for eating fresh off the tree or drying for winter storage, Black Sea is a unique addition to any garden or landscape.

Naturally compact at 12–15 feet, it's suitable for both small gardens and large containers.

Hardy to Zone 5 (-29ºC), drought-tolerant, and highly ornamental with its glossy leaves and mahogany fruit, Black Sea is a great choice for growers looking to add a unique addition to their plant collection. While partially self-fertile, planting another jujube nearby ensures the heaviest harvests. 

Common names: Black Sea Jujube, Chinese Date

Edible: Fruit
Harvest timing: September - October

Scientific name: Ziziphus jujuba ‘Black Sea’
Light requirements: Full sun 
Full-grown size: 12-15' tall x 8-12' wide
Hardiness: Zone 5
Pollination: Partially self-fertile
Wildlife: Relatively pest resistant, including to insects, birds and, once mature, deer.
Origin: Jujube species are native to China. 'Black Sea' was selected in Eastern Europe, around the Black Sea region, and introduced to North America as a hardy cultivar.
Noteworthy: Can be grown in a large container (15-20 gal).