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Carissa is a great hedging or groundcover works for coastal areas in Florida , California , and other fond places throughout the globe . This evergreen acquire fast , needs picayune care , and get mysterious gullible foliage , attractive fragrant orange blossoms , and comestible yield .
Read on to learn more about turn and caring for these under - used plants .
What Is A Carissa Shrub?
Natal plum , or tumid num - num as it is also screw , is a thornyornamental shrubfrom the Apocynaceae ( dogbane ) family .
Carissa macrocarpais a woody evergreen with a dense and rounded growing form and many branch . This plant reaches a maximal tiptop of about 13 feet ( 3.9 m ) , and nearly as wide . Dwarf , spreading selections have been developed that reach out just a infantry or two ( 0.3 - 0.6 m ) in height .
This works originate from sandy coastal woodland and thickets . It occurs naturally in the southeastward of Africa in coastal areas of South Africa and Mozambique .
The foliage consists of somewhat glossy , oppositely arranged leafage that are ellipse to rounded and measure 2 to 4 in ( 5 - 10 atomic number 96 ) in duration . They are a bass green colour and are slightly paler below , with a firm leathery grain and a pointed tip .
These are barbed plants that have characteristic , Y - mold double prickle , and although the stems and branches may look green and soft , they are in fact inflexible and woody . hack the leaves , stems , or fruit of this works reveals a milky white substance ( latex ) .
Carissa Flowers
The natal plum bush produce endearing blanched flowers that have 5 petals and are gently , but very pleasantly , odoriferous like the blossoms of a citrus tree . These star forge bloom can reach about 1 ½ inches ( 38 mm ) across and are produced throughout the year , but do unspoiled in saltation , and into the heat of mid - summer .
cherry to purplish fruit that resemble plum tree add to the collection of this species . Very often , the fruits and flowers , along with Modern growth , are visible at the same time . Although these plants are not particularly showy , the natal plum tree flowers and ripe yield make a adorable contrast with the dark unripe leaf .
Other Carissa Species And Varieties
Carissa macrocarpawas formerly known asC. grandiflora , and might still be advertised or described as such in various publishing and catalogs . Much employment was done with these natal plums to evolve better fruit selections . As this lost favor , and many gardeners begin to show a predilection for smaller , more compact bush , some corking nanus cultivar have been uprise .
Some outstanding options include :
Growing Natal Plum Plant
The best way to grow Modern natal plum plant is from source , which take about 2 weeks to germinate . The big flat source can be collected from right yield and spring up in tray in the declination or spring .
These plants can also be successfully propagated from stem cuttings . Semi - ripe cuttings taken in the summertime show the best resolution .
These plants grow well in a diversity of soils , although there is a definite taste for well - drained substratum . deal mixing some constituent material , such as peat moss , into the planting internet site if you have very misfortunate flaxen territory .
Carissa macrocarpacomes from a fairly well - water and humid mood so they should be water on a regular basis in teetotal climates for in force growth . This is where a free draining medium will amount in ready to hand to preclude the plants from have ‘ wet feet ’ .
These industrial plant will do best in full sun to light shade . Plants grow in shady area will survive but develop a fragile , tall-growing development form .
This flora is sore to frost and is study hardy to USDA zones 9 and 11 . This is a great plant life for coastal area because it is broad of salt soils and atomizer , and it produce hunky-dory in windy field .
Some plant have been killed off to the ground by cold atmospheric condition and then successfully re - pullulate , but it is better to nullify exposing these plants to frost . A corking option for gardener in colder climate is to grow one of the dwarf forms in a container , and then move the plant indoors during the cold seasons .
Care And Maintenance
These are restrained to fast - growing shrubs , depending on where they are grown . They have a naturally brush up form but take well to pruning . Dwarf sort can regress to the large unfounded case if not pruned on a regular basis .
Care should be take when dress since the thorns are very sharp . If there is much work to be done , go ahead and wear a pair of overalls , and a heavy duet of gloves to be on the dependable side .
Because the Natal plum prefer a middling acidic climate , course with an acid plant food like Miracid every two weeks during ontogenesis . During the winter , reduce feeding to once a month .
This is peculiarly advise in areas with alkaline territory . Carissa macrocarpaplants grown in containers should be get indoors during frigid conditions if grown in coolheaded climates . The extensive root arrangement of this species countenance it to absorb urine and food efficiently , making it a great selection for gardens with well draining soil .
The natal plum is in general very pest - resistant . Pests like spider mites , thrips , and whiteflies can affect vernal plant , however . Potential disease problems admit leaf spot , blight , and ascendent rot .
Uses
Horticultural Uses
The natal plum tree is a thorny bush that makes a great certificate hedge or screen if planted at 3 - 6 pes ( 0.9 - 1.8 m ) spacing . There are lowly varieties that arise well in containers and this plant life also makes a fantastic bonsai subject .
Low - growing human body like ‘ Green Carpet ’ make a peachy ground cover . Whatever the software , check that you position this flora in modest - dealings areas to prevent any accidental contact with its sharp spines .
Human Uses
The red fruits ofCarissa macrocarpaare eatable and often delicious , tasting more or less like cranberry . The fruits are fill with a milky white substance , like that found in figs . The gustation does vary from plant to constitute , however .
They are rich in vitamins and mineral and can be eaten raw or made into jams and jelly . Only ripe yield are dependable to eat , and unripe fruits should be avoided .
Wildlife Uses
Fruit - eating birds and pollinators like butterflies are attracted to this plant .
FAQs
Are Natal plum self pollinating ?
Yes , Natal plums ( Carissa macrocarpa ) are generally self - pollinating , meaning they can produce yield without the motivation for crossbreeding - pollination by another flora . However , having multiple plant may heighten yield production .
How do you dress Natal plum ?
Pruning Natal plum affect slay deadened or damaged arm and shaping the plant to maintain a desired form . Additionally , you may snip to operate the size and encourage shaggy maturation . Pruning is typically done in belated winter or early spring .
Is Natal plum plant toxic to dogs ?
Yes , the Natal plum plant is considered mildly toxic to dogs . The flora hold compounds , such as alkaloids and glycoside , which can be harmful if ingested . It ’s advisable to keep Natal plum plants out of reach of pets and to be conservative if planting them in area where dogs have access .
ending
Natal plum is a wonderful and promiscuous - to - grow ornamental evergreen bush , specially for strong , subtropical domain in Zones 9 to 11 . The delicious fruit are just the ‘ cherry on top ’ , but remember , watch out for the thorns !
References
http://pza.sanbi.org/carissa-macrocarpa
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/carissa.html
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/carissa-macrocarpa/
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP107
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