Carissa macrocarpa

 

  Natal Plum

  Family: Apocynaceae

  Origin: South Africa

Hardiness: Freezes at 25 degrees; warmest parts of Zone 9 plus Zone 10
Growth: Rapid growth to 5 to 7 feet; many compact varieties too
Form: Loose mounding form; 7 to 10 feet wide
Leaves: Thick and shiny, dark green oval leaves; stems have thorns
Flowers: White fragrant 1.5 inch flowers in spring
Fruit or Seeds: 1.5 inch red edible berry in the fall
Exposure: Full sun to part shade; best bloom in sun
Water: Little water needed near coast; weekly watering inland
Soil: Tolerates clay, loam or sand
Fertilizer: Spring or fall or not at all
Prune: Thin or head back long stems in spring; often sheared
Problems: May be bothered by thrips and scale insects

Thorns make Carissa an excellent plant for barriers. There are many named varieties of Carissa. Some grow more upright than the species; several others grow slowly to 1 to 3 feet high and somewhat wider. 'Tuttle' is a low growing variety commonly available.

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