Coastal Guava, Cattley guava, Strawberry guava, Psidium littorale, Psidium cattleanum

If you can’t grow the tropical guava, the strawberry guava might be for you: it is much hardier and can even survive light frosts.

Suitable for containers, self-fertile, heavy cropping, drought and salt tolerant, the ideal plant for urban self sufficiency! Cattley guava grows only 2-5 meters and makes netting easy. The pretty fluffy white flowers in spring to early summer are followed by fruit with which can be eaten raw, or turned into leathers, smoothies, jams etc. Even the leaves can be used for a healthy tea to support your heart, blood sugar and immune system. The fruit is high in vitamin C – good for the immune system, loaded with fibre and rich in polyphenols which fight cancer.

The evergreen trees tolerates some shade and they are able to endure flooding for short periods. They can take heavy pruning, and can be used as informal hedges or screens. Fruit is borne on new growth – pruning does not interfere with next years crop.