Chilean Guava | Ugni molinae
Loved by Queen Victoria!
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
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40-60cm inc. pot on arrival
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Chilean Guava
Ugni molinae
- Known as the Chilean guava, strawberry myrtle, tazziberry (in Australia) and ugniberry (in New Zealand), one thing's for certain - whatever you call this shrub, it's bloomin' brilliant.
- Compact and bushy in appearance, Ugni molinae comprises waxy evergreen leaves, nodding, bell-shaped summer blooms (which have a lovely scent) and delicious crimson red berries in the autumn.
- First introduced to the UK in the middle of the 19th century, the fruit quickly became Queen Vic's fave, and really, who can blame her?
- The round fruits are incredibly moreish, boasting a sweet taste not dissimilar to that of strawberries or pineapple (some gardeners even say the taste reminds them of cotton candy).
- The plant's naturally small stature (growing to a height of between just 1 and 2 metres) makes it ideal for those gardens more limited on space - we think it would work particularly well in a sheltered courtyard garden in a large pot. You can even fan train it against a wall!
- Pick and eat the berries straight from the bush, bake them in muffins, cookies and friands, or make a delicious tazziberry-infused vodka, gin or tequila.
- Native to Patagonia, the juice of the berries was once used as a sort of natural energy drink to help fuel the expeditions of indigenous populations like the Mapuche and Selk'nam peoples.
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Tasting notes
Time to first crop
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Self fertile
Uses
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Chilean Guava grows very well in a pot, and doing so allows you to move it to a sheltered spot if temperatures fall below -5°C.
How big does it get?
The Chilean Guava typically grows to a mature height of 1.5 to 2 metres.
How much sunlight does this need?
The Chilean Guava enjoys full sun to partial shade, needing protection from the harshest afternoon sun.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
The Chilean Guava prefers fertile, well-draining, slightly acidic soil, and the roots should be protected with a 5 cm layer of mulch if temperatures drop below -5°C.
How much watering does this plant need?
The Chilean Guava | Ugni molinae needs regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, providing about 2.5 centimetres per week.
Will this plant need pruning?
Yes, the Chilean Guava | Ugni molinae benefits from light pruning in spring to maintain its shape and encourage bushy growth.
How hardy is this plant?
The Chilean guava is borderline hardy (RHS H3), tolerating temperatures down to -5°C. It thrives outdoors year-round in mild coastal areas and southern England, but in colder inland or northern parts of the UK, it should be grown in a container and moved to a frost-free location for the winter.
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Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Fruit plants grown with love (and serious knowhow!)
Mike’s our guy when it comes to growing soft fruits. He’s our grape guru. Our gooseberry genius. Our blueberry boffin. What Mike doesn’t know about soft fruits? Well, it simply isn’t worth knowing. Having traversed the world from Australia to Northern Ireland – and even undertaking a horticultural stint in Sweden – Mike combines his enthusiasm, technical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and favourable climatic conditions of the Cotswolds to grow only the very juiciest, sweetest soft fruits.
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