Karissa, pot diameter 24 cm (10 liters) (perennial for the garden)

• Light: Full sun to partial shade. Very flexible - thrives in almost any light conditions.
• Watering: Moderate. Drought tolerant once established, but flowering and fruiting are better with regular watering.
• Temperature: Likes heat! Sensitive to frost - suitable for warm areas (center and south)
• Soil: Adapts to almost any soil type! Prefers well-drained
• Fertilization: Balanced fertilizer in spring. Doesn't require much.
• Pruning: Tolerates pruning well - excellent for designing a fence. Beware of the thorns!
• Salinity: Very resistant - suitable for coastal areas

• Cold damage: Brown/black leaves after frost. Prune in spring - usually recovers
• No fruit: lack of pollination (needs more than one plant) or lack of sun
• Sparse flowering: too much shade or lack of water during the flowering season
• Yellow leaves: overwatering or poor drainage
• Aphids: Check under the leaves. Treat with potassium soap.
• Scales: Small insects on the branches. Remove by hand or treat with oil.
• Slow growth: natural in the first year. Patience - will accelerate after establishment

• 🌿 Evergreen: Shiny, dense foliage all year round
• 🌸 Fragrant flowers: starry white flowers with a sweet jasmine scent
• 🍇 Edible fruits: Red-purple fruits with a plum-cranberry flavor!
• 🔒 Secure fence: Sharp spikes create an impassable barrier
• 💧 Drought resistant: water efficient once established
• 🌊 Salinity resistance: excellent for coastal areas
• 🐾 Pet safe: Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses - ASPCA approved!
• ✂️ Easy to shape: tolerates heavy pruning and maintains shape
• 🦋 Butterfly attractant: The flowers and fruits attract wildlife

• Scientific name: Carissa macrocarpa (syn. C. grandiflora )
• Family: Apocynaceae (Apocynaceae family)
• Origin: South Africa (Natal)
• Height: 1.5-3 meters (up to 6 meters without pruning)
• Width: 1.5-3 meters
• Growth rate: Medium
• Plant type: Evergreen shrub
• Flowering: Almost all year round (peak in spring-summer)
• Other names: Natal Plum, Natal Plum, Amatungulu

• 'Fancy': Extra large fruits - best for eating!
• 'Gifford': compact, dense growth, medium fruit
• 'Boxwood Beauty': Dwarf, Thornless! Perfect for Borders and Pots
• 'Green Carpet': Creeping/low - excellent ground cover
• 'Prostrata': low creeping, suitable for slopes
• 'Horizontalis': horizontal growth, suitable for balconies
• 'Tomlinson': compact with rich blooms

• Eating fresh: The ripe fruits (dark red-purple) are delicious as is!
• Jam: Crumble jam with a unique plum-cranberry flavor
• Jelly: High natural pectin - excellent for jelly
• Sauce: Meat or cheese sauce
• Desserts: Topping for cakes, pies and mousses
• Drinks: juice, smoothies or homemade alcohol

💡 Tip: Only pick fully ripe fruit (dark red-purple, slightly soft). Unripe fruit is very sour!

• Secure hedge: The thorns create an impenetrable barrier - natural security!
• Decorative hedge: evergreen + flowers + fruit = beautiful all year round
• Accent plant: as a focal point in the garden
• Large pot: Dwarf varieties are suitable for pots
• Ground cover: creeping varieties for slopes
• Coastal Garden: Salt Resistance - Ideal!
• Desert Garden: Water-Saving