{"product_id":"chilean-myrtle-luma-apiculata","title":"Chilean Myrtle - Luma apiculata","description":"\u003cp\u003eChilean Myrtle (\u003cem\u003eLuma apiculata\u003c\/em\u003e) is a slow-growing South American tree that reaches about 10m tall and 8m wide, but only over many years. It carries white cup-shaped flowers in early summer, followed by purple-black berries, on a canopy of dark, aromatic leaves above rusty tan bark. Handsome in every season and very long lived, it is a tree you plant once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterest in every season.\u003c\/strong\u003e White flowers in summer, dark berries after, aromatic dark green leaves all year and rusty tan bark underneath.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdible berries.\u003c\/strong\u003e The purple-black fruit is edible and used as bushtucker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlow and manageable.\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow growth means it stays a workable size for years, and it suits bonsai as well as backyards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood for honey bees.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers are used for honey production, so a tree in bloom hums in early summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot fussy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows happily in clay and most good garden soils, and it is drought tolerant once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature and backyard tree.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant a single tree with at least 4m clear of fences and buildings. Its slow growth makes it easy to place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStreet tree.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its slow, tidy growth suits a verge or street planting, where it gives shade and seasonal flowers without quickly outgrowing its space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSensory gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Aromatic leaves, white flowers and edible fruit make it a natural for gardens built for touch, smell and taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Chilean Myrtle in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun or part shade. It is adaptable and seems happy in most climates, from subtropical to cool temperate and Mediterranean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Any good, well-drained garden soil. It copes well with clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly for the first 8 to 12 weeks, then during dry periods until a trunk has developed. After that it is drought tolerant. Feed with a slow release fertiliser twice a year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune in autumn for prolific summer flowers and a dense habit. Or deadhead after the first flowers to keep an elegant shape and encourage a second flush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Chilean Myrtle as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly), in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Because the tree is slow, a bigger plant saves years. The 200mm pots in packs of 6 give a head start, the 140mm pots in packs of 10 suit a row or screen, and tube stock is the patient, low cost option. Plant out soon after arrival and water in well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTube stock is supplied by our grower, and supply comes and goes. A sold out tube simply means the grower has none today, so press the notify button on the page and we will email you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/feature-trees\"\u003eFeature trees for the garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/slow-growing-trees\"\u003eSlow growing trees\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eEdible plants and bush tucker\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lilly-pillys\"\u003eLilly pillies, close relatives in the myrtle family\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big will it get, and how fast?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually about 10m tall and 8m wide, but it is slow, so expect decades rather than years. Pruning keeps it smaller if you need to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I eat the berries?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The purple-black berries are edible and used as bushtucker. Pick them when fully ripe and dark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it suit a small garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts slow growth and tolerance of pruning help, and it is even grown as bonsai. Left alone, though, it will reach 10m, so for a very small garden choose something smaller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790855864639,"sku":"LUM-API-tube","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67790855897407,"sku":"LUM-API-140MM-P10","price":203.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67790855930175,"sku":"LUM-API-200MM-P6","price":209.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/chilean-myrtle-luma-apiculata.jpg?v=1792209523","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/chilean-myrtle-luma-apiculata","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}