Loquats (Eriobotrya japonica) grow in Austin, Texas quite easily. I think your location in Georgia would be even more to their liking. They produce fruit, but there it's usually left for the birds and squirrels. Do you know if the twelve plants you were given were grown from seeds or if they came from cuttings? I think producing Loquats via a cutting is difficult, but I'm not positive about that.
