Edibles

Feijoa sellowiana is a dense and bushy, evergreen shrub/tree. Feijoa fruits in autumn and early winter with small oval olive-green fruit with a sweet, aromatic flavour which tastes like pineapple, apple and mint. Pick when the skins have become a lighter shade of green to avoid bruising and ripen at room temperature. As a plant, it has attractive leathery green leaves with silvery undersides and pinky-white flowers with large red stamens. It can be grown as a single-trunked small tree or trained as espalier along wires or clipped as a hedge or rounded shrub.

Soil: Plant in well-drained soil, mulch and fertilise when planting.
Conditions: Feijoas prefer a sunny location sheltered from strong wind. Drought conditions may adversely affect fruit yield. This fruit tree will tolerate frost once established. Suitable for cold, temperate and sub-tropical climates.
Size: Height 4m x width 4m

Also known as the Calamansi Tree, the Calamondin is a popular citrus tree that produces small, tangy fruits rich in vitamin C. Commonly cultivated in the Philippines, it is cherished for both its ornamental beauty and culinary versatility. Glossy green foliage and fragrant white blossoms make it an attractive addition to gardens, patios, and indoor spaces. The Calamondin typically begins fruiting around three years of age, rewarding growers with abundant crops of bright orange fruit. These fruits can be eaten fresh, juiced, or used in cooking and drinks, adding a refreshing citrus tang. Fry the whole fruit, skin and all, in coconut oil to serve as a fragrant side dish with curry. Calamondin trees are heavy feeders—apply a slow-release fertiliser or Dynamic Lifter up to four times a year to support healthy growth and fruiting. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins to maintain shape and size.

Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Conditions: Full sun with 6-8 hours of sun per day. Prefers warm temperate climates.
Size: Height 3-6m x width 3-4m

Solanum muricatum ‘Gold’ (Cameron Apple) is a productive shrub that produces small, satin-textured fruit with distinctive purple stripes, varying in colour from golden yellow to apricot. Inside, the pale yellow-green flesh is juicy with a melon-like texture and a delicately sweet flavour reminiscent of honeydew or rockmelon. This variety grows with a naturally sprawling habit, making it an excellent choice for use as a groundcover. For best results and heavier fruiting, ‘Gold’ performs well when trained over a trellis.

Soil: Rich, composted soil.
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Species grown for their fruits prefer warm conditions, and in areas with cool summers, they are greenhouse plants.
Size: Height 1m x width 1m

Physalis peruviana Cape Gooseberry is native to South America, and is one of the most versatile yet understated vegie garden plants, The sweet fruit is encased in a papery husk that turns brown - letting you know that the fruit is ripe. The berry is the size of a cherry tomato, is very aromatic and full of tiny seeds. They are delicious eaten straight from the plant or made into gooseberry jam. They can be added to salads, desserts and cooked dishes, they are delicious stewed with apples or dipped in chocolate. They can also be dried or used in savoury dishes with meats and seafood. A perennial in the tropics, but grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Soil: Prefers a rich, moist well-drained soil
Conditions: Sun to partial shade. Drought and frost tolerant.
Size: Height 1m x width 1m

Allo sellowiana, known as Feijoa or Pineapple Guava, produces a sweet delicious fruit you can feast on straight from your garden! Feijoa has a sweet, subtle flavour that will inspire your culinary imagination. The flesh of the fruit is a creamy white and the translucent pulp has a buttery texture – delicious! This handsome evergreen shrub combines pretty red-white flowers with thick oval silvery-green foliage. For the kitchen gardener and adventurous cook, this fruit has lots to offer!

Soil: Sandy, Clay loams, free draining
Conditions: Tropical, subtropical or Mediterranean
Size: Height 3m x width 2m

An evergreen edible hedging plant, the Strawberry Guava tree has aromatic foliage and delicious fruit following large white flowers in autumn. The fruit will turn red to purple when ready for harvest, and the fruit ripens sequentially, so harvesting every three days is a good regime. The strawberry guava does not keep well, and once ripe, the fruit will need to be eaten or processed within three to four days. Fertilise in late winter, adding some sulphate of potash to improve flowering and fruiting.

Soil: Adapts to a variety of soils.
Conditions: Sunny, sheltered position. Suited to warmer climates. Frost tender. Drought and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 2-4m x width 2-4m

Also known as Midgen Berry or Sand Berry, Austromyrtus dulcis Midyim Berry is one of the most delicious native bush tucker plants—often compared to the blueberry for its sweet, tangy flavour and speckled appearance. Once a favourite Aboriginal bushfood around Moreton Bay, this hardy shrub thrives naturally in sandy soils across heathland, open forest, and coastal scrub from NSW to QLD.
Small, starry white flowers appear in early summer, followed by masses of white berries dotted with purple specks from late summer into early autumn. The berries can be enjoyed fresh, or used in pies, jams, and preserves. Midyim Berry forms a dense evergreen shrub with new bronze to burgundy foliage maturing to rich green. It grows up to 2 m high but can easily be kept smaller, making it ideal for home gardens, edible hedges, and narrow borders. Hardy and low-maintenance, it is rarely troubled by pests or diseases, performing well in full sun to part shade.

Soil: Sandy soil - any well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade.
Size: Height 50-100cm x width 1m

Vaccinium spp Brightwell Blueberry is a vigorous and adaptable Rabbiteye variety that produces abundant clusters of sweet, medium-sized fruit. Delicate white flowers appear in late spring to early summer, followed by a generous harvest of blueberries by mid to late summer. The foliage is lush green through the warmer months, transforming into a fiery red display in autumn. Ideal for gardens or container growing, this attractive shrub brings both beauty and productivity to any outdoor space — perfect for patios, decks, or small gardens. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove old or crossed branches and to encourage healthy new growth. Brightwell Blueberry requires cross-pollination for best fruiting, so plant it with another Rabbiteye variety such as ‘Powder Blue’.

Soil: Provide moist, well-drained soil with high organic content and an acidic pH
Conditions: Full sun. This rabbiteye blueberry variety is cold-hardy, making it a good choice in areas with chilly winter weather. This cultivar is also heat and drought-tolerant, thriving in areas with intense summer weather.
Size: Height 1.8-2m x width 1.8-2m