Blush Midgem Berry

Blush Midgem Berry (Austromyrtus dulcis 'Blush') is a low native shrub that does three jobs at once: it covers ground, it feeds birds, and it feeds you. It grows to about 600mm tall and spreads to a metre, with fine arching foliage that flushes pink on the new growth and settles to soft green. White flowers in spring are followed by small speckled berries in summer, sweet enough to eat straight off the bush.

Why you'll love it

• The berries are genuinely good. Small, speckled and sweet, ripening through summer. This is one of the easiest bush foods to grow in a suburban garden.
• Pink new growth all season. Each flush comes through rose pink before hardening to green, so the shrub carries colour without relying on flowers.
• Built for hard sites. Drought tolerant, happy in poor soil, and salt tolerant enough for a front garden two streets from the beach.
• Low and spreading, not tall. At 600mm high it never blocks a view or needs shaping, and bees, butterflies and birds all work it over.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant 60cm apart for dense cover. At that spacing the arching stems knit into a continuous low layer over two seasons, and a solid drift looks far better than scattered singles.

Borders, edging and coastal beds. Its 600mm height makes a natural low edge to a path or driveway at 60cm centres, and its salt tolerance suits an exposed coastal block.

Pots and containers. A single plant suits a wide low pot of 400mm or more, where the arching habit spills over the rim.

Growing midgem berry in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade, with the heaviest fruiting in sun. This is a plant for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It handles light frost only, so cold inland and southern districts are outside its range.

Soil. Free draining is what matters, and poor soil is not a problem. Sandy and gravelly ground suits it. On heavy clay, plant on a raised mound with compost worked through, and mulch 50mm deep clear of the stems.

Water and feed. Water twice a week through the first summer, then taper off as it becomes drought tolerant. Keep the water up while the berries are swelling if you want a decent crop. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring, since standard blends can burn the roots of Australian myrtles.

Pruning. Tip prune lightly after fruiting to thicken the plant and hold the mounding shape. It rarely needs anything harder.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in three sizes: tube stock, 140mm plants in packs of ten, and 200mm plants in packs of six. Tubes and 140mm plants are the sensible choice for covering an area at 60cm centres: they establish fast and cost far less per square metre. The 200mm plants arrive already bushy.

Some tube and 200mm stock is on backorder, so check the size selector before you plan a full bed. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Expect new growth within four to six weeks in warm weather, and a worthwhile crop of berries from the second summer. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Native plants that bring birds into the garden
• Browse edible plants and bush foods
• Compare Australian native shrubs
• See salt tolerant plants for coastal blocks

Common questions

What do the berries taste like?

Sweet and mild, often described as close to blueberry with a hint of spice. They ripen through summer, eaten fresh off the bush or cooked into a sauce or jam.

How far apart should I plant it for groundcover?

Sixty centimetres apart, which works out at roughly three plants per square metre. That gives continuous cover within two seasons without the plants competing for water in the first year.

Does it need a second plant to set fruit?

No, a single plant will fruit on its own. Planting a group lifts the crop and gives a better looking drift, so most gardens end up with three or more.