| Natal Plum | |
| Carissa macrocarpa | |
| a.k.a. Carissa |
Medium sized fruit up to 2+ inches long, with a very juicy red pulp. Usually used for making preserves.
Description: Medium sized shrub up to 15ft high. Sometimes used for hedging or ground cover. Natal plum's can fruit and flower throughout the year. Flowers are bright white, with five narrow lobes, and have a wonderful fragrance.
Natal Plum flower; flowers have a sweet-smelling almost gardenia-like scent
Hardiness: Natal plum's are sub-tropical, surviving temperatures
down to 25F when mature. Young plants should be protected from hard
freezes.
Growing Environment: Plants are not too particular about soil or water requirements.
Will stand short periods of drought and will not stand flooding. Grow
in full sun (preferably) or light shade.
bushy Natal Plum in tree-like habit; can also be trained as a bush or hedge
Propagation: By seed, or via budding and air-layering.
Uses: Eaten fresh or used to make preserves.
Native Range: Native to coastal South Africa.