Area of origin: South america.
Adult Dimensions: Height up to 3m (9.8'), width up to 2m (6.6').
Foliage: Evergreen, green and silver underneath.
Soil Type: Well drained, rich and clayey.
Hardiness: Tolerant to -10°C. Protect in areas with severe winters, and grow in container if necessary.
Exposure: Full sun.
Characteristics and uses:
The Feijoa or Pineapple Guava is a superb ornamental shrub that blossoms from May through to July. Its original flowers are white with long red stamens. It also produces exotic fruits rich in vitamin C with the flavour of pineapple. The Feijoa or Pineapple Guava fruits look like hairless kiwis and stay green at maturity.It can be planted on its own, in hedges, fruit garden or even in a container for balconies and terraces. The Feijoa or Pineapple Guava shrub is also appreciated by bonsai enthusiasts. There are 'dioïque' varieties so you will need to have male and female plants to obtain fructification and self- fertile varieties as the 'Unique' variety. In the case of dioïque species, it is advised to plant numerous shrubs to ensure getting male and female ones
List of trees and shrubs with edible fruits:
Black Chokeberry 'Viking' (aronia melanocarpa 'Viking'), slightly acidic berries, purple black used in jam-making.
Blueberry Bush 'Jersey' (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Jersey'), slightly acidic fruits, from august.
Common Hazel (Corylus avellana), nuts from September.
Common Walnut (Juglans regia), nuts from end of October, delicious in salads .
'Jenny' Self Fertile Kiwi (actinidia chinensis 'Jenny'), hardy to -12°C.
Raspberry 'Fall Gold' (Rubus idaeus 'Fall Gold'), soft fruits, fragrant, orangey yellow, double cropping and self-fertile variety.
Raspberry 'Heritage' (Rubus idaeus 'Heritage'), soft and fragrant fruits, double cropping and self - fertile variety.
Red Chokeberry 'Brilliant' (aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliant'), bright red fruits from the autumn.
Strawberry Tree (arbutus unedo), hardy to -12°C, its fruits look like a strawberry.
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), extremely decorative fruits, rich in vitamin C.
Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa), edible fruits when grilled.
White Mulberry (Morus alba), pinkish white fruits, sweet.
Edible Hedge 'Ophélie', provides edible red fruits throughout the summer.
See the catalogue of tree and shrubs with edible fruits.
