Wellspring Gardens
Subtropical Fruit Trees and Plants

barbadoscherry.jpg
.
Barbados Cherry (Acerola Cherrry), Malphigia glabra
Acerola or Barbados Cherry is native to the Caribbean islands and northern South America. It is high in vitamin C content and many C supplements labeled as natural are made of acerola.
Barbados cherries can be eaten fresh, as a juice either alone or in a mixture, made into jellies, jams, or preserves. The fruit is also widely used in the health food industry as a source of vitamin C. This dwarf plant is an attractive shrub in the landscape and works well in containers or even in hanging baskets. It is often covered in numerous small pink flowers.
An explosion of interest occured in the 1950's when the extraordinarily high ascorbic acid content was confirmed. This along with the fruit's attractiveness and superior eating quality led to 1,000's of acres being planted in Puerto Rico, Florida, Hawaii, and elsewhere. Many vitamin C products from the fruits were promoted by health food outlets. Enthusiasm subsided, however, when a synthetic and much cheaper form of ascorbic acid became available.
 
Dwarf Barbados Cherry, Malphigia punicifolia
This dwarf variety is an outstanding bonsai candidate as it flowers freely throughout the year and has beautiful fire engine red colored fruit. Because of its small size it is also ideal as a container plant. This variety grows to only 2 -3 feet and can withstand colder temperatures than other varieties, to 22F (once established.) The plants for sale are about 6 inches tall growing in 3" deep pots. Shipped in the pot.

dwarfpomegranate.jpg

Dwarf Pomegranate - Punica granatum nana

Pomegranates are native to southeastern Europe and Asia and were grown in ancient Egypt, Babylon, India and Iran.A miniature version of the pomegranate tree, in the form of a deciduous shrub 4- 6 feet high; with shining vivid green, narrow leaves and scarlet flowers 1 - 1 3/4 inches long; producing small orange red fruit to 2 inches in diameter with hard rind and juicy edible pulp; attractive as a small pot plant. Also good for bonsai.

Pomegranates can be grown in tropical to warm temperate climates. They are more cold hardy (receives less damage) than citrus. Pomegranates vary in frost tolerance, but in some cases temperatures down to 10°F may not severely injure the plants. Pomegranate trees are self-fruitful. That is, they can pollinate themselves. Mature trees tend to hold more fruit that are set than will younger trees.

Atemoya
 
Avocados, Persea americana
 
Bananas, Musa acuminata/balbisiana
 
Barbados Cherry, Malphigia glabra
 
Canistel
 
Carambola, Averrhoa carambola
 
Cherimoya, a
 
Cherry of the Rio Grande, Eugenia
 
 
Figs, Ficus carica

Variety

Fruit

Season

Comments

Celeste

Small fruit CE*

Purple/brown

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

Commonly grown in the south. Doesn't bear fruit following severe freeze damage.

Brown Turkey

Moderate fruit ME

Bronze

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

Most popular variety. Will fruit following severe freeze damage.

Green Ischia

CE Green

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

Not widely grown, but color and closed eye make it desirable. Doesn't fruit following severe freeze.

San Piero

Very large fruit

Purplish bronze

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

Fruit subject to souring and splitting.

Magnolia

Lopsided, Large OE Bronze

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

Tends toward souring and splitting. Will bear after freeze.

Variety

Fruit

Season

Comments          *(CE=Closed eye, ME=Medium eye, OE=Open eye)

 
Guava, Psidium littorale
 
Jaboticaba
 
Jakfruit
 
Jujube, Zizyphus jujuba
 
Kiwi, Actinidia chinensis
 
Litchi
 
Longan
 
Loquat, Eriobytra japonica
 
Macadamia Nut
 
Mango
 
Miracle Fruit
 
Monstera, Monstera deliciosa
 
Passionfruit, Passiflora spp
 
Papaya, Carica papaya
 

Pineapple Varieties

Variety

Size

Comments

Alaska

3-6 lbs

Yellow flesh, sweet and tender, prone to fruit breakdown.

A. lucidas

1-3 ozs

Decorative pineapple, spineless, reddish leaves, Zone 9.

Hilo

2-3 lbs

Small Hawaiian variant of the Smooth Cayenne.

Kona Sugarloaf

5-6 lbs

Incredibly delicious. High sugar content, no acid, white flesh, no woody core. Cylindrical shape.

Natal Queen

2-3 lbs

Golden flesh, crisp texture, mild flavor, Spiny leaves,

Pernambuco

2-4 lbs

Pale yellow to white flesh, Sweet, melting texture. Spiny leaves.

Red Spanish

2-4 lbs

Pale yellow flesh, nice aroma, squarish shape, Spiny leaves.

Smooth Cayenne

5-6 lbs

Yellow flesh. Cylindrical shape. High sugar and acid content. Spineless. From Hawaii, this is the kind usually found in U.S.

Variety

Size

Comments

Pomegranate, Punica granatum
 
Raisin Tree
 
Sapodilla
 
Sapote (Black)
 
Sapote (White)
 
Sapote (Mamey)
 
Strawberry Tree
 
Surinam cherry
 
Tamarind, Tamarindus indica
 
Tree Tomato