Edibles

Burdekin Plum, also known as Tulip Plum, is an Australian native that produces plump, acidic fruits that are only edible when ripe. Fruits are large, black, round and contain a large stone, similar to plums in the supermarket. The colour and flavour of the flesh varies between varieties, with red-purple plums being tart, while pale greenish-white plums taste milder. Flowering usually occurs between January and March, producing small, yellowish-green blooms that develop into fruit over the winter months. Harvest the fruits when they start to show signs of ripening, but don’t eat them straight away! They are hard and acidic straight off the tree and need to be stored for a few days. They may be eaten raw, cooked into jams, used to flavour meat, or fermented into wine. It may be kept smaller in pots and is sometimes selected as a bonsai species. It is a magnificent tree for a large garden or verge, providing plenty of shade and habitat for birds and small animals.

Soil: Loamy, well-drained soil.
Conditions: Sunny position. Though it will tolerate drought (and some frosts), it is ideal to mulch and water well for the hot season. In the wild, it may also occur naturally on sand dunes behind mangroves and in dry sub-coastal regions along the northeast coast.
Size: Height 20m x width 6-8m

A famous old English plum, Coe’s Golden Drop has clear yellow skin and gorgeous, sweetly-flavoured yellow flesh. It can be kept in the refrigerator for more than a week, which is unusual for plums. Delicious eaten straight off the tree, Golden Drop is great for stewing, pies, pastries and jams. It does need a pollinator to set fruit, such as Green Gage, D’Agen, or Angelina. It will require annual pruning once the foliage has dropped in winter.

Soil: Well-draining, loamy to sandy soil that has a neutral to acidic pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
Conditions: Situate the tree so that it is either southerly or easterly facing in a sheltered area.
Size: Height 2-5m x width 2-5m

Angelina plum develops as a spreading tree with edible fruit that hangs well and is easy to pick. It produces excellent small to medium-sized oval, freestone plums with dark purple skin and yellow, firm flesh that's very juicy and sweet. Angelina is delicious when eaten straight off the tree and is perfect for sweet pies, jams, liqueurs and preserves.

Soil: Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of mulch and water during the growing periods.
Conditions: Full sun. Frost tolerant.
Size: Height 4m x width 4m

Plum A-Okay (Prunus salicina) is a new release in the Backyard Boosters range. This delicious plum has the highest antioxidants and potential health benefits of any plum available to home gardeners. The tree will produce a large number of delicious dark-skinned plums with dark red flesh. Suitable for eating fresh from the tree or juiced, this prolific cropping tree also features dark burgundy new growth making an attractive statement in the garden. This variety is a freestone and needs a cross-pollinator growing nearby - Mariposa or Narrabeen are suitable for this. Like all produce plants, correct pruning, regular fertilising and watering will result in an abundance of fruit.

Soil: Well-fertilised soil.
Conditions: Full. sun. Frost/cold tolerant to -15C
Size: Height 2-5m x width 2-5

Champion quince is a hardy, rounded, deciduous tree that produces large pear-shaped, golden-yellow fruit from April to June. In autumn, it has a spectacular display of bright yellow leaves and at the beginning of spring exhibits fragrant pinkish-white flowers. It is recommended to cook the fruit before eating and is perfect for jams and jellies. Champion is self-pollinating though it will yield more fruit if multiple trees are planted in the vicinity of each other. Ideal for orchards and edible or cottage gardens.

Soil: Most well-drained soils.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Tolerates frost and drought though it needs protection during hot dry winds to avoid the loss of fruit.
Size: Height 4-5m x width 2-4m

Notcutts Variety Viburnum produces a spectacular show all year round. Between spring and summer, the shrub will show off glossy green leaves with spectacular large clusters of glorious white, lace-cap flowers. During autumn the glossy green leaves will change to purple-red, and the flowers will be replaced with dazzling red berries. The more viburnums planted together, the greater the cluster of berries due to their cross-pollination. The berries, as well as the softly-fragrant flowers, have a great vase life.

Soil: Prefers good drainage
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Drought and frost tolerant.
Size: Height 3m x width 3m.

Pyrus communis pear, or Packham Triumph, is an Australian heritage pear bred in Molong, NSW dating back to the late 1800s. It is a delicious fruit with smooth, green to yellow skin and white flesh which is juicy, sweet and rich in flavour. Fragrant, white flowers are borne in spring and the fruit ripens from late autumn to early winter. Packham Triumph will benefit from cross-pollination with a Nijiseiki nashi, rewarding the grower with an abundance of beautiful, sweet dessert pears.

Soil: Prefers light, rich soils with good drainage but will tolerate heavier, clay-rich soils.
Conditions: Full sun. Pears grow best in the cooler areas of Australia as they need a period of chill to fruit to the optimum.
Size: Height 6m x width 4m

Kensington Pride mangoes, also known as Bowen mangoes, are Australia's most popular and commercially grown mango. It is an attractive tropical, evergreen tree with a dense canopy of long, narrow green leaves. Clusters of fragrant small yellow or pink flowers appear through winter and spring. The large, fleshy fruit is usually green, ripening to bright yellow with red blush, around March and April. The sweet, juicy mango is perfect for fruit platters, chutneys, ice cream and smoothies.
Young trees need to be watered often and fertilised with nitrogen three times a year.

Soil: Well-drained soil. Mulch thoroughly.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Mangoes prefer tropical and subtropical climates with humid, hot summers and cool, dry, frost-free winters.
Size: Height 8m x width 8m