Hortiforum

General Info – Pitanguinha, Ana Cherry

A must-have for Eugenia collectors, the Pitanguinha stands out as an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and utility. With its stunning ornamental appearance and deliciously sweet, red berries, and hardy nature, the Pitanguinha adapts gracefully to a variety of climates.
The Pitanguinha is a superb choice for gardeners not wishing to compromise on ornamental beauty in their garden while still seeking a productive plant. Its delicate, slender leaves and dense growth pattern make it a truly ornamental shrub. When in bloom, it dazzles with a profusion of delicate white flowers, each adorned with numerous long stamens. The emergence of coppery-red tender new growth further enhances its allure. Typically reaching heights of up to 2 metres, Pitanguinha plants boast a spreading growth habit that is perfect for filling spaces or creating hedging rows.
Pitanguinha produce attractive, glossy-skinned berries, reminiscent in size of large Blueberries and similar in appearance to the related Cedar Bay Cherry. These sweet berries are not just attractive to the gardener’s eye, but also to birds, with plants potentially requiring netting for protection. Whether eaten fresh or processed into preserves, these berries are a pleasant snack to forage from the garden.
Pitanguinha plants are remarkably adaptable, thriving in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates, tolerating light frosts and cool winter conditions. While seedlings and young plants benefit from partial shade, mature specimens flourish under full sun, encouraging maximum flowering. Resilient and hardy, the Pitanguinha favors slightly acidic soil and withstands drought and strong winds thanks to its sturdy constitution. Pitanguinha are notably slow-growing but are perfectly suited to container cultivation, even to a mature size.
An excellent find for any Eugenia collector or gardener passionate about rare fruits, the Pitanguinha is an opportunity not to be missed.

Plant Profile/Properties