Ugni molinae Chilean Guava from the family Myrtaceae Jekka's Herb of the month, September
" Chilean Guava is a particular favourite of mine, and, reputedly,
Queen Victoria's! Characterised by its charming shell pink flowers in summer, it then produces a lush, dark red fruit in autumn, which
tastes of wild strawberries. " Jekka McVicar
Chilean Guava is an ornamental evergreen shrub, which can grow up to 2.5 metres (8ft) high with a spread of 1.5m (5ft)
Ugni molinae Chilean Guava in berry
Ugni molinae Chilean Guava in flower
Ugni molinae, Chilean Guava, is native to Southern Chile.
Ugni was introduced to the UK in the 1800s, and became a firm favourite with Queen Victoria who requested that a jam be made from the sweet berries.
A frost hardy plant, it will withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F), and prefers a well-drained acid soil in full sun.
Ugni molinae Chilean Guava summer flowers are pale pink, cup shaped, and hang down. The autumn fruit are red berries which ripen to dark red, and should be just soft to touch before eating
Propagation
Seed: Sow in late winter/early spring and place under protection at 15°C (60°F). Germination generally takes six to eight weeks, but can take longer. Once the roots become established, pot up and grow on under protection in a container for two seasons before planting out out in late spring/early summer into a prepared site once all danger of frost has passed.
Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in summer, from non-flowering shoots. Once the roots become established, pot up and grow on in a container under protection for two seasons before planting out out in late spring/early summer into a prepared site once all danger of frost has passed.
Garden Cultivation: Ugni molinae Chilean Guava grows best in a well-drained acid soil in full sun. Wet conditions will damage the plant more quickly than cold temperatures. On an exposed, windy site, plant against a south - or west - facing wall. In warmer climates, Ugni can be grown as a low hedge. Feed only once in spring, with well-rotted compost. Over-fed plants will not flower. In warmer climates, trim the shrub in autumn to maintain its shape; in colder climates, trim in spring.
Ugni molinae Chilean Guava grows best in a well-drained acid soil in full sun
Ugni molinae 'Varigata'
Ugni molinae has small, dark evergreen leaves (which may turn a slightly copper in autumn) that are aromatic and can be used to make a spicy tea.
Container Growing: Chilean Guava grows well in containers. Use an ericaceous substrate and it's happiest if you do not upgrade the pot size - it prefers to be pot bound. Feed weekly during the growing season, but be careful not to overfeed, as over-fed plants will not flower.
Harvesting: Pick fresh leaves as required throughout the year. Harvest fresh flowers in summer. By late autumn the berries will have become a dark red, and should be just soft to the touch. This indicates that they are ripe and ready to eat.
Uses: The leaves can be used to make a spicy-flavoured tea, or add a warm spicy flavour to stews and casseroles.
In Chile, the seeds are roasted and used as a coffee substitute.
The berries can be eaten raw or cooked - they become more tart in flavour when cooked.
Ugni molinae is also very much an ornamental plant with it's very pretty pale pink flowers in summer, and red berries in the autumn. When the berries are ripe, they give off a mouthwatering sweet aroma.
How to Order: we currently grow 2 varieties
of Chilean Guava . Click on each image for more info':
