An interesting plant for fruit tree collectors and those in search of fragrance. Randia formosa is a shrub related to Gardenias. It produces small fruits that taste like blackberry jam. The fruits are yellow and small in size. It’s a small bushy shrub to 2mtrs+ and produces fairly large, fragrant, ornate white flowers and is hardy. It enjoys full or partial sun and likes acidic soil.
To lower pH: Both ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate acidify the soil, but ammonium sulfate is much more acidifying.
Generally, the plant is fairly easy to grow and can make a container specimen in colder areas. Propagation by seed. The University of Guam say it is a primary windbreak species. Native to Central and South America. Family : Rubiacea
Article compiled by Sheryl Backhouse
Sourced from:
Sub-Tropical Fruit Club of Qld. Inc Newsletter August – September 2007