For interest in every season, this delicious fruit tree is hard to beat
With its toothsome blooms and abundant yields of late time of year yield , pineapple guava ( Feijoa sellowiana , Zones 8–11 ) definitely deserves a fleck in the grove or kitchen garden . But this tree is so much more than “ just ” an edible . Pineapple Psidium guajava is also one of the most easy - precaution , attractive , and versatile cosmetic landscape painting plants a Northern California gardener can develop .
An evergreen plant that offers lots of versatility
Pineapple guava is evergreen , and its natural form is good and ramify , topping out at about 10 to 15 feet grandiloquent and wide . That cause it the perfect specimen tree for smaller blank space . It ’s also well trained into a topiary or espalier form and can even be planted in multiples to fleece into a slow hedging . Whatever manner you grow it , a pineapple guava is a great increase to any sunny landscape , with an attractive trunk and stems covered in silver grey - chocolate-brown bark . Thick , silver-tongued - gray , ellipse - shaped leaf embrace the tree year - rhythm ( the silver being most prominent on the underside of the folio ) . In give , unusual , colorful , and succulent - textured flower appear among the leafy foliage . These tasty blooms are tangy - sweet . They ’re great additions to fruit compote , jams , or jelly , and they can be used for garnishes on cupcakes or salads . The blossoms are also rich in nectar , much to the delectation of bring down bees , butterflies , and hummingbird . This is a great home ground plant for wildlife !
The fragrant yield follows in belated declension ( October in my area ) . Until it ’s fully ripe , the yield persist almost the precise same color as the leafage , so it ’s difficult to enjoin just how self-aggrandizing a crop your tree will grow until the fruit gets a rosiness of russet coloring and start out drop to the priming coat . The fruit is egg - shaped and about 3 to 5 in long , and its upcountry flesh boast a taste well described as a blend of ananas - melon - mint and citrus tree . The fruit from my tree appears to taste even better after a wanton frost , which seems to add together an almost fizzy grain to it . It is fabulous in sherbert or ice ointment or devoured fresh from the garden .
Growing is a cinch, if you follow a few simple steps
Pineapple guava works well when planted out in the landscape or in a large container . Give it a full - Sunday location , and engraft it in rich , well - drained soil . It ’s best to amend your soil well , tot up well - aged constituent compost and a handful of all - purpose , slow - release organic fertilizer at planting metre . Pineapple guavas are wonderfully drought patient of at maturity , but they appreciate light yet regular irrigation until establish , then a recondite soaking once a calendar week during the hottest , driest months once mature . Most pests avoid ananas yellow cattley guava , even cervid and gophers .
Prune occasionally, and do some fall cleanup
The only pruning that is need if you ’re growing Ananas comosus guava as a tree diagram is sporadically tidying up any bushed or crossed branches . If you have a hedge , espalier , or topiary form , a little more pruning and tidying is needed to keep it to the hope shape . Be sure to clean up fallen fruit in late autumn to nullify attracting white Anglo-Saxon Protestant , overwintering dirt ball , or gnawer . Also in previous fall , add a 3- to 4 - column inch level of constitutive compost around the root of your Ananas comosus guava to act as a moisture - retaining , nutrient - rich mulch .
Very few plants offer as much to a gardener without require practically anything in regaining , make pineapple guava the ultimate crushed - care beaut .
— Fionuala Campion is the owner and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .
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An evergreen tree with gorgeous flowers and delicious fruit, pineapple guava is the ultimate ornamental edible.
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Every part of this plant is eye-catching. From the silver-brown bark to the green leaves that sport showy silver undersides, this is a focal point plant regardless of where it’s sited.
It’s hard to tell when the fruit is ripe, but generally you’ll notice a slight color change. Another tell-tale ripeness sign is when the fruit begins to drop from the tree. Just be sure to clean up any fruit on the ground in late fall to discourage insect pests.
