loquat

I have a loquat which has spent the last couple of years fairly happy in a large pot. Does anyone know how large it would grow if I planted it in the garden. Also, will it be okay to restrict it's size by pruning.

 

I have seen one half way up the side of a pub, about 20ft high but usually about 10/15ft. Pruning is normally done after harvesting to reduce terminal branches but also to allow light in to the middle of the tree(when grown commercially). They can tolerate severe pruning if necessary but thinning is better.

 

I grew a loquat for 10 years in my conservatory which a friend germinated from a fruit. As it was becoming too big for the conservatory, I planted it in a sheltered position in my garden and that was 5 years ago. The plant has never flowered but I didn't expect it to because I am in the North East of England. I like the plant for its foliage which gives it a somewhat exotic appearance but the leaves do tend to get damaged by the weather although the plant itself is perfectly hardy. It reached approx 10 feet in height last summer but I decided to prune it back to half this height because there was a lot of bare stem with a tuft of leaves at the top and I wanted to make it more attractive and bushy. Since then it has become more bushy and apart from removing some tatty yellowing leaves now and again, it is remarkably maintenance free and the only attention I have given it outside is a high balanced feed in late spring/early summer and regular watering in warm dry periods. I would be interested to know if anyone has managed to get a loquat to fruit in the U.K outdoors or in a conservatory/greenhouse.