Feijoa sellowiana aka Feijoa

Feijoa sellowiana, or pineapple guava, belongs to the myrtle family. Sources also name this species Acca sellowiana. It comes from Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. It grows in South American highlands and at woodland edges. This evergreen shrub can also form a small tree. It grows slowly and keeps its leaves through winter.

Garden size depends on the climate and growing site. Plants reach about 5–15 feet (1.5–4.6 m) tall and wide. RHS gives a smaller upper size of 8 feet (2.5 m). Other sources report heights reaching 25 feet (7.5 m). The crown can stay open, but pruning makes it denser. The bark is pale gray, and hairs cover young branches. Branch nodes are swollen. Thick, oval leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems. Their upper sides are green, with white hairs beneath. These pale undersides give the leaves a silver cast.

Flowers open in May and June in several garden accounts. RHS places bloom more broadly in summer. White and pink-red petals surround many red stamens with yellow tips. Flowers grow alone or in small groups near the leaves. Bees and other insects pollinate them. The oval berries have waxy green to blue-gray skin. Their pale pulp is juicy, with a sweet, fragrant taste. Fruit takes four to seven months to ripen and bruises easily. Eat ripe fruit fresh, or cook it in preserves and desserts. The sweet flower petals are also edible. The supplied sources report no known hazards.

Give this plant full sun for the best bloom and fruit. It accepts light shade, but needs soil that drains well. It tolerates soils ranging from sand to heavy clay. Established plants withstand drought and salt-laden winds. Even soil moisture helps the plant produce good fruit. Choose a sheltered spot in cooler gardens. US sources list USDA zones 8–10; RHS rates it H3. Dormant plants may survive about 14°F, but frost can harm new growth. Autumn frost can also damage the fruit.

Use it as a hedge, screen, windbreak, or single specimen. It also suits containers and mild coastal gardens. Pruning can shape it as an espalier or small tree. Birds eat the fruit, and dense foliage gives wildlife cover. Deer seldom damage it. Most sources report few serious pest or disease troubles. Black scale and fruit flies can cause problems in some places.