Psidium guajava (F)
common guava
An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 6m tall with prominently-veined, ovate to oblong leaves up to 15cm long with serrated margins. White flowers to 2.5cm across with brush-like clusters of long stamens are borne singly or in small groups and may be produced year-round on newly-emerged lateral shoots. Edible, rounded, egg- or pear-shaped fruits, 2.5 to 10cm long, mature from green to yellowish green with white to deep pink or orange-red flesh
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | White | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | Green Yellow | ||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Psidium are small trees or shrubs with evergreen, simple leaves and axillary flowers, usually borne singly or in threes, which may be followed by small, edible fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S America, Caribbean
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a greenhouse or conservatory in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light but with shade from hot sun. Can also be grown in containers to stand outside in summer but move inside for winter or provide protection from frost
Propagation
Propagate from seed or from suckers
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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