Hortiforum

General Info – Winter Apple, Amulla

A productive but undemanding native ground cover that produces a delightful, miniature Apple-like fruit.
Winter Apple, or Amulla, is a wonderful garden snack, perfect for making use of otherwise unproductive spaces. The majority of the fruit ripens in autumn, with the fleshy, spherical fruits reaching around 1 cm in size and containing a hard seed inside. When ripe, the fruits take on attractive shades of red and pink and develop a pleasantly sweet flavour, with a slight bitterness and even a hint of saltiness, often compared to the taste of an Apple.
The Winter Apple has a significant range, spreading across much of the Great Dividing Range and is commonly found in the dry woodlands of Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populnea) and White Cypress (Callitris). It is suitable for most soil types, as long as there is good drainage, and is often found in clay soils. While severe frost can damage the plant, it is known to recover in warmer weather. It prefers a full-sun position but also grows naturally in partial shade, with the protective benefit of a canopy being beneficial in climates where protection from heavy frost is present. Winter Apple is well-suited to long dry periods, making it ideal for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens.
The Winter Apple grows as a spreading shrub with two distinct forms: one as a prostrate shrub and the other as a low-growing, upright shrub. It creates a dense ground cover, extending up to 2 metres in diameter. The lance-shaped green leaves are visually appealing, complemented by hairy, five-petalled flowers that range from white to pale purple, blooming primarily in summer along the leaf axils.

Plant Profile/Properties