{"product_id":"strawberry-myrtle-ugni-molinae","title":"Strawberry Myrtle - Ugni molinae","description":"\u003cp\u003eStrawberry Myrtle (\u003cem\u003eUgni molinae\u003c\/em\u003e) is a small evergreen shrub from Chile, grown for its berries and its neat habit. It reaches 1m to 2m high and wide, carries white bell-like flowers in summer and ripens small, dark red berries in autumn. The fruit is said to taste of strawberry, and because it travels poorly and is almost impossible to buy, growing your own is the way to try it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit you cannot easily buy.\u003c\/strong\u003e The berries look like small blueberries and are reputed to taste of strawberry, a good project for a grow-your-own gardener.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDainty bell flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e White, bell-like blooms hang from the branches in summer, before the fruit follows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA neat evergreen shape.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 1m to 2m it suits a small orchard or edible bed, and the foliage stays green all year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBerries for people and birds.\u003c\/strong\u003e The dark red autumn fruit adds colour, and there is enough to share with the birds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery cold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It thrives in Tasmania, in the Chilean highlands and in northern England, so frost is no worry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdible gardens and small orchards.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.5m apart as a berry shrub among other fruit and vegetables. It sits well beside blueberries and other plants that enjoy cool, moist conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDamp, shady corners.\u003c\/strong\u003e It does best in damp shade, a position where many fruiting plants struggle. A spot on the south side of the house or beneath tall trees can work well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife and autumn colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e Leave some berries on the bush for the birds. The dark red fruit lights up the garden in autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Strawberry Myrtle in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Damp shade gives the best results. It will grow in brighter light if you water it more. It is cold hardy, so it suits Tasmania, Victoria, the tablelands and other cool districts. Warmer gardens can try it in shade with extra water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in moist, humus rich soil, and mulch to keep the roots cool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly, and more often if it sits in bright sun, which dries the soil faster. Feeding is optional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pruning is not necessary, but a light trim after fruiting will encourage new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Strawberry Myrtle as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small and green, with no fruit yet, so plant it in a shaded, moist spot and give it time to grow into a shrub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tubes come from our grower, and stock is not constant. When the grower has none the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it is available again.\u003c\/p\u003e\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\u003cul\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=\"\/blogs\/blog\/edible-backyard-layout-guide\"\u003eLaying out the edible backyard\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bird-attracting\"\u003eBird attracting plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-small-gardens\"\u003ePlants for small gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen do the berries ripen?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite flowers open in summer, and the small dark red berries follow in autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need frost protection?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is cold hardy and thrives in Tasmania, the Chilean highlands and northern England, so winter is rarely a problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I plant it in full sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, but it prefers damp shade. In bright sun it needs more water, so check the soil often in summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790859338047,"sku":"UGN-MOL-tube","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/strawberry-myrtle-ugni-molinae.jpg?v=1792209600","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/strawberry-myrtle-ugni-molinae","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}