Growing fruit is an extremely rewarding experience.
Here in the Lowcountry, however, the types of fruit that can be grown are quite limited. Many fruit trees such as apples and peaches are tried but generally not recommended for the average homeowner due to disease and insect pressures.
There are the standard fruits of blueberries, blackberries, and figs, which are both well known and relatively easy to grow under the right conditions.
Even the lesser-known loquat fruit is still a staple of the Charleston garden as a wonderful, evergreen tree with a tropical look. Two often overlooked fruiting plants are the pineapple guava and the flowering quince.
The pineapple guava, acca sellowiana, is a large, evergreen shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Native to South America, it is becoming increasingly popular in the kindergarten trade due to its excellent ornamental features.
It is a relatively fast growing shrub with beautiful bluish-green leaves and beautiful flowers that open this month and eventually produce unique fruits that ripen in late summer. The underside of the leaves looks silvery and the stems contrast well with the brownish-orange bark.
When planted in full sun, these will produce an abundance of flowers in the spring that have white petals and dark red stamens in the center. These shrubs are an excellent addition to most landscapes and have few problems once they have emerged. This is also an ideal plant along the coast due to its moderate salt tolerance and semi-tropical appearance.
Pineapple guava is a relatively fast growing shrub with beautiful bluish-green leaves and beautiful flowers. Christopher Burtt / Provided
Pineapple guavas are pretty easy to grow in this area. Like most plants, they prefer well-drained soil and plenty of sun. They can do with some shade when fruit isn’t that important.
The best time to plant most of the shrubs is in autumn. However, these can be planted in the spring if the water is properly managed in the summer to ensure proper establishment. While not heavy feed, it may need to be fertilized for the first few years after planting to ensure good growth and development. After that, however, this fertilizer is rarely needed unless a soil test indicates it.
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As a large shrub, pineapple guavas can grow up to 15 feet tall, depending on the cut and possible frost. Usually grown as a shrub, it makes an excellent evergreen hedge that produces dense foliage when pruned evenly, but can become quite loose as it grows. The best time to prune and shape pineapple guavas is in late winter, similar to most summer-flowering shrubs. However, you can always really prune, as flowers will be produced as the current year grows.
While the pineapple guava is becoming increasingly popular, the flowering quince Chaenomeles speciosa is no longer as popular with a shrub as it used to be. While the flowers are a sight to behold in early spring, this is a short-lived trait.
This is a deciduous shrub, which means that it loses its leaves in winter. It is native to China and belongs to the rose family, Rosaceae, which unfortunately makes it susceptible to various diseases and pests. Even so, the flowering quince is still a wonderful and unique shrub with beautiful flowers and edible quince fruits.
The fruits must be prepared before consumption as they are hard and bitter from the start. This doesn’t fit into every landscape, but it can be an interesting addition to a garden with edible plants.
Flowering quinces are relatively easy to grow, much like the pineapple guava. It prefers well-drained soils and plenty of sun for abundant flowers. It is exceptionally adaptable to our poor soils here in the lowlands and has a decent drought tolerance.
It is quite prickly in shape but requires little pruning. It grows up to 10 feet tall and makes a decent specimen, if not for nothing, its flowers. Its shape makes it a good barrier plant, although deer occasionally thins it.
Both the pineapple guava and the flowering quince make great additions to an edible landscape. One of the traits that make them an even better idea is their ability to attract pollinators, and birds in particular. Hummingbirds tend to like the blooming quince flowers, although they are short-lived. Both fruits are eaten by wildlife, which adds an added benefit to the local landscape.
For more information on gardening, please visit hgic.clemson.edu or cburtt@clemson.edu.
Christopher Burtt is the Urban Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator for Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. He can be reached by email at cburtt@clemson.edu.
