Chilean Guava, Ugniberry

Also known as Ugni molinae, this is a plant with many common names, ranging from Strawberry myrtle due to its strawberry-flavoured fruit, to Tazziberry which it is known as in Australia and New Zealand. Myrtus ugni is native to the Valdivian rain forest in southern Chile, where it grows as a short understory shrub. It was first introduced to Europe in the 1840’s where it quickly became Queen Victoria’s favourite fruit. In recent years it has become a popular plant in edible landscaping though not commercially grown so much. It flowers in Spring with small white heather-like, fragrant flowers, and they turn to beautifully flavoured pink-red berries by mid-autumn, often staying on the shrub long after Christmas.

Site: Requires shelter
Soil: Must be lime free, tolerates damp
Position: Full sun, partial shade
Season of Interest:  Evergreen, edible fruit
Hardiness: Hardy to -6°C, young growth can be damaged by spring frosts
Height:  5ft (1.5m)  Spread: 3ft (1m)