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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.

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.