Ugni molinae

Ugni molinae (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Myrtaceae

Ugni molinae is an evergreen shrub with a bushy habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are ovate with entire margins, up to 2cm long and 15mm across. Its white/ pale pink pendulous flowers are up to 1cm across. Its red/ purple fruit is a berry and up to 1cm across, these are commonly known as Ungni Berry or New Zealand Cranberry.

Ugni molinae Flower (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ugni molinae, commonly known as Chilean Guava or Strawberry Myrtle, is native to Chile and south Argentina. In its native habitat it grows in the temperate rain forests of Chile and Argentina at woodland edges.

The etymological root of the binomial name Ugni is derived from the vanacular Chilean name for this plant. Molinae is named after Juan I Molina (1740 – 1829).

The landscape architect may find Ugni molinae useful as an evergreen shrub with attractive flowers and edible fruit. This is a suitable shrub for growing in a community type garden. It may also be grown as an evergreen hedging species. Once established this shrub is drought tollerant.

Ugni molinae Leaf (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Ugni molinae flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees. Its berries are attractive to birds and mammals (including humans).

Ugni molinae prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Ugni molinae requires little maintenance. Pruning may be carried out any time of year, however this may be at the expense of the flowers and fruit.



Landscape Architecture

Callistemon linearifolius

Callistemon linearifolius (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Position: Full sun

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Summer

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Myrtaceae

Callistemon linearifolius is an evergreen shrub or tree with an open habit. Its grey/ green leaves are linear to lanceolate with pointed tips, up to 10cm long and 7m broad. Its flowers are bottle brush like spikes of hermaphrodite flowers, up to 10cm long, with enlarged scarlet red stamens arranged radially around the tips of the flowering stems. These are followed by clusters of dark grey, tightly spaced small fruit which are up to 7mm across.

Callistemon linearifolius Leaf (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Callistemon linearifolius,  commonly known as the Nettled Bottlebrush or Narrow Leaf Bottlebrush, is native to New South Wales, Australia. In its native habitat it grows in dry sclerophyll (vegetation with hard leaves) forest.

The etymological root of the binomial name  Callistemon is derived from the ancient Greek Kalli meaning ‘beautiful’ and stamen the pollen producing part of a flower. Linearifolius is derived from the Latin linearis meaning ‘linear’ and folium meaning ‘leaf’.

The landscape architect may find Callistemon linearifolius useful as an attractive evergreen flowering shrub. A warm sheltered location will ensure this plant flowers prolifically.

Callistemon linearifolius Seed (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Ecologically, Callistemon linearifolius flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Callistemon linearifolius prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most  pH of soil.

Callistemon linearifolius requires little maintenance, dead or damaged material may be removed after flowering.

Callistemon phoeniceus

Callistemon phoeniceus (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Position: Full sun

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Summer

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Myrtaceae

Callistemon phoeniceus is an evergreen shrub or tree with an open habit. Its grey/ green leaves are linear to lance-shaped, up to 12cm long and 1cm broad. It flowers are bottle brush like spikes, up to 15cm long, composed of hermaphrodite flowers with enlarged scarlet red stamens arranged radially around the tips of the flowering stems. These are followed by dark grey, tightly spaced small fruit.

Callistemon phoeniceus Leaf (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Callistemon phoeniceus,  commonly known as the Lesser Bottlebrush, Fiery Bottlebrush or Scarlet Bottlebrush, is native to south west Australia. In its native habitat it grows on sandy soils near water bodies which are prone to flooding.

The etymological root of the binomial name  Callistemon is derived from the ancient Greek Kalli meaning ‘beautiful’ and stamen the pollen producing part of a flower. Phoeniceus is derived from the Greek foinikos meaning red’.

The landscape architect may find Callistemon phoeniceus useful as an attractive evergreen flowering shrub. A warm sheltered location will ensure this plant flowers prolifically.

Callistemon phoeniceus Seed (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Ecologically,  Callistemon phoeniceus flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Callistemon phoeniceus prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most  pH of soil.

Callistemon phoeniceus requires little maintenance, dead or damaged material may be removed after flowering.