Unique Feijoa

Unique Feijoa (Acca sellowiana 'Unique') is a compact evergreen fruiting shrub, about 3m high by 2.5m wide, valued because it fruits without a partner and crops at a young age. The fruit arrives early in the season with smooth, soft flesh, so it opens the feijoa harvest before most other varieties.

Why you'll love it

• Reliably self-fertile. You only need one plant for fruit, which makes it ideal for small gardens where space is limited.
• Crops young. It is known for setting fruit at a young age, so you are not waiting years for a first harvest.
• Early season fruit. The harvest comes before the mid and late varieties, so planted with a later variety it stretches the season.
• Smooth, soft flesh. The pulp is soft and smooth rather than gritty, good eaten with a spoon straight from the skin.
• Edible flowers. The thick white and crimson petals can be eaten in spring and are popular with birds.

Where it works best

Productive hedge. Plant 2m apart for a loose, evergreen fruiting hedge, or 1.5m apart for a tighter line you clip after harvest.

Edible garden backbone. Use it at the back of a vegetable and herb bed, where its silver-grey foliage makes a good backdrop.

Large containers. In a big pot with regular feeding it stays smaller and still fruits, a handy choice for courtyards.

Growing Unique Feijoa in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest crop, though it copes with part shade. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and is harder going in the humid tropics.

Soil. Well-drained, compost-enriched soil is ideal, though it tolerates poorer ground than most fruit trees. Avoid soil that stays waterlogged.

Water and feed. Water deeply through its first summers and during flowering and fruit set. Mulch to protect the shallow roots, and feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Trim lightly after harvest to keep it open and in shape. Fruit falls when ripe, so collect it often. Where fruit fly is a problem, net the plant or bag the developing fruit.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Unique Feijoa in 300mm pots, one plant per pot, as a named variety that crops sooner than seed-grown feijoas. Plant it out promptly, water well and mulch. Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed with you before anything ships.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More fruit trees for the home garden
• Browse edible plants
• Growing a successful fruit and vegetable garden

Common questions

Will one plant fruit on its own?

Yes. Unique is reliably self-fertile, so a single plant sets fruit without a second variety.

How soon will it fruit?

It crops young for a feijoa, and grafted or named plants fruit sooner than seedlings. Expect leaf growth first while it settles in.

Is it suitable for a hedge?

Yes. Planted 1.5 to 2m apart it forms a dense evergreen screen, and light pruning after harvest keeps it neat.