Eetbare tuin-edible garden Ugni molinae - Chilean guava

• Article number: UGNMOL01

Ugni molinae is also called Chilean guava and Murtilla berry. Family of the Myrtaceae. This perennial has many good qualities. It is evergreen and the leaves look a bit like the leaves of Buxus and can be used to make tea.
The Chilean guava grows bush-shaped and can grow up to 150 cm high without pruning.

In May / June the plant blooms abundantly with mainly white flowers with beautiful pink accents.
After flowering, berries grow that are purple / red in color and smell very aromatic.
The berries get a diameter of 10/15 mm. and are usually ripe later in the summer.
These berries are also called Murtilla berry and are picked in the wild by the Chilean population to eat them or to make jam.
This jam is used as a seasoning in many dishes.
The taste of the berries can be described as wild strawberry / pineapple, slightly fresh and minty. Fruits are very healthy and full of oxidants.

The plant is best kept as a container plant in a place in half shade or sunny.
The potting soil may be slightly acidic and slightly moist. Fertilizing a small dose of container plants once every 2 weeks during the growing season is sufficient. Dried cow manure pellets are fine too.
Wintering in a cool, light and frost-free place is fine. In winter, water the plant occasionally because it retains its leaves and should not dry out.
If you want to prune the plant, you can do so in late autumn.
Winter hardiness zone 9b (-3ºC).