Overview

Carissa edulis is a shrub, small tree shrub in the genus Carissa, part of the Apocynaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Carissa edulis grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include hedge and specimen plant. It is native to Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda.

About

Carissa edulis is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Apocynaceae, native to parts of tropical Africa. It is valued in cultivation for use as a hedge or a specimen plant. In the UK it flowers from June to September. Best sited in full sun on neutral loam with good drainage in a south-facing, sheltered position and is rated H4 (average hardiness).

About the genus

Carissa is a genus of shrubs or small trees native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Australia and Asia. Until recently about 100 species were listed, but most of them have been relegated to the status of synonyms or assigned to other genera, such as Acokanthera.

Wikipedia contributors, "Carissa", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Carissa

In the garden

Carissa edulis is an evergreen shrub or small tree from the dogbane family, native to a number of African countries such as Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. It reaches multi-stemmed form in time, and in cultivation is most often employed where a dense, persistent screen or single specimen is required. Place plants where they receive full sun on a neutral, loamy rooting medium that drains freely; avoid heavy, waterlogged soils. A south-facing, sheltered position reduces exposure to cold winds and suits its H4 hardiness rating (average hardiness in UK terms), so sites against warm walls or in protected corners are appropriate. Good drainage and a sheltered aspect are the priority for establishing healthy growth. In UK gardens Carissa edulis works well as a formal or informal hedge and as a standalone specimen where an evergreen screen is wanted. Expect its main flowering period to fall between June and September, which is the season to assess its contribution to structure and seasonal interest.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Carissa

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Carissa edulis size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrub

Habit

Shrub, Small tree

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Hedge, Specimen plant

Native to

Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Carissa edulis

Propagation

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings

Pest resistance

Resistant

Disease resistance

Resistant

Frequently asked questions