Illustration of Ugni molinae by Miss Mary Rivers (1891). [Public Domain]
Genus: Ugni
Common Names: various
Description coming soon.
Distribution: South America, Central America and Mexico
Our Selection
Ugni molinae
Common name(s): Chilean guava, strawberry myrtle
Description: evergreen shrub; native to, you guessed it, Chile. Produces fragrant white bell flowers in summer followed by small, yet delicious dark red berries. It was one of Queen Victoria's favorite fruits and she is largely to thank for its prevalence in British and Western gardening. Self-fertile but may yield more fruit with multiple plants.
Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.
Position: full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil
Uses: culinary- preserves, sauces, fruit salads, etc.
Winter Hardiness: to 10 F and below
Common name(s): variegated Chilean guava, variegated strawberry myrtle
Description: evergreen shrub; a variegated cultivar with cream-white leaf margins and attractive hues of pink on new growth. Fragrant white bell flowers in summer followed by small, yet delicious dark red berries. U. molinae was one of Queen Victoria's favorite fruits and she is largely to thank for its prevalence in British and Western gardening. Self-fertile but may yield more fruit with multiple plants.
Height: to 5 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Position: full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil
Uses: culinary- preserves, sauces, fruit salads, etc.
Winter Hardiness: to 10 F and below
Ugni molinae 'Villarica Strawberry'
Common name(s): Villarica strawberry myrtle, Chilean Guava
Description: evergreen shrub; collected from Pucón, Chile by Paul Barney of Edulis Nursery in the UK. Reputed to be more cold hardy than most forms in cultivation with equivalent fruit quality. Rounded growth with reddish stems on new growth. Fragrant white bell flowers in summer followed by small, yet delicious dark red berries.
Height: to 5 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Position: full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil
Uses: culinary- preserves, sauces, fruit salads, etc.
Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below