Pineapple Guava

Feijoa sellowiana
Also called Acca sellowiana, it is the lone species of Feijoa within the Myrtaceae family. It is a rapid growing, small tree, reaching a maximum size of 33 x 33 feet, that is native to high elevations in South America ( from Columbia to southern Brazil; south to Uruguay to northern Argentina. In cooler climates, it is more often found as a shrub, especially used as a hedge or screen.
The attractive leaves, up to 3 x 1.6 inches, are glossy deep green above, white felted beneath.
The white to pink ( with deep red stamens ) flowers are up to 1.6 inches across.
The edible flowers are often added to fruit salads.
The flowers attract hummingbirds.
They are followed by aromatic, oval fruits, up to 4 inches in length, are reddish-green. The flesh is white on the edible fruits. While some varieties are self-fertile, others need multiple plants for pollination.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on light, well drained soil. It gains hardiness as it ages, older plants may
tolerate as low as 5 F ). It is known to grow in the British Isles as far north as western Scotland, however temperatures below 16 F will eliminate fruit production for that year. The Pineapple Guava requires hot summers for good fruit production.

* videos found on Youtube


* photo taken on Aug 15 2014 @ Rawlings Conservatory, Baltimore, MD

'Variegata'
Foliage is edged in white.