Myrtus ugni - strawberry myrtle
Strawberry myrtle is reputedly delicious and much-loved - but almost no-one grows it and it doesn't travel well in distribution chains. That makes it perfect for the home gardener! The blueberry-like strawberry-tasting berry is ideal for self-sufficient or healthy-eating grow-your-own gardeners, as it's almost impossible to buy as fruit.
Apparently Queen Victoria couldn't get enough of it; and the Chileans make a kind of sloe gin out of the berries, by bottling them in alcohol. These facts may or may not be related.
We love strawberry myrtle for the sweet berries, dainty flowers, neat size, and the fact that its alternative botanic name Ugni molinae reminds us of ex-England rugby player Ugo Monye
Flower and fruit images: Dick Culbert cropped to size.
Myrtus ugni, Ugni molinae - strawberry myrtle, Chilean guava
APPEARANCE : Small evergreen Chilean shrub similar to a blueberry, with white bell-like summer flowers followed by small dark red autumn berries. An Australian company has trademarked the name Tazziberry™ to grow these plants commercially for fruit.
USE FOR : Grow-your-own and orchard gardens, for autumn colour, to share the fruit with the birds.
CLIMATE : Cold hardy as they thrive in Tasmania, Chilean highlands, and northern England - why not test their tolerance yourself?
PLANTING : Plant in damp shade for best results; they will need more water in bright sunlight.
CARE : Pruning is not necessary but will encourage new growth after fruiting.
MATURE HEIGHT & WIDTH: 1 - 2m H x 1 - 2m W
YOUR PLANTS : These are tubestock plants, healthy young plants with new roots that will establish quickly in your garden. The pot size is 80mm high and 42 mm wide.
You can see an example in the image gallery.
What is tubestock?
| Plants For State | ACT,NSW,QLD,VIC |
|---|---|
| In Stock | not currently available |
