Eugenia myrtifolia New Port

The Eugenia myrtifolia (also known as Syzygium paniculatum) New Port is derived from a persistent tropical bush sometimes referred to as the Antilles Cherry due to its small edible fruits resembling pink cherries. With a narrow, dense and bushy habit that is easily maintained through pruning, it is ornamental all year round, offering successively red to copper-orange young shoots that contrast with the mature foliage of dark green, white flowers powdered with stamens forming a beautiful haze on the plant, and then tangy fruits, which can be enjoyed raw, in jam or jelly. Its cultivation in open ground is reserved for milder areas, as it only tolerates light frosts. Elsewhere, this Syzygium makes a beautiful conservatory plant.

The Syzygium paniculatum, from the Myrtaceae family, is widespread in the tropical forests that populate the coastal regions of Australia, specifically the northeast coast of New South Wales. In nature, it forms a true tree that can reach a height of 15 m (49 ft 2 in), but its dimensions are much smaller in cultivation, even in its native Australia. This species, paniculatum, is often confused with the Syzygium australe. Both are relatives of the clove tree, the Syzygium aromaticum, famous for its dried flower buds with a unique fragrance.

The 'Newport' cultivar is a compact form and slightly more cold-resistant, withstanding temperatures down to -5 °C at the peak for a mature plant. It is a beautiful bush that reaches an average height of 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in) with a spread of 1.75 m (5 ft 8 in) in open ground. It has rapid growth and a bushy, dense and leafy habit. The evergreen leaves are glossy, oval, leathery, measuring about 4 cm (1.6 in) long and 2 cm (0.8 in) wide. They emerge with a copper-orange-red colour and then turn shiny dark green, giving the vegetation a very decorative appearance in spring, as well as after each pruning, when new leaves are produced. The self-fertile and honey-bearing bush blooms in spring and early summer. The small white flowers, 1 cm (0.4 in) wide, have prominent stamens. Gathered in clusters, they appear in the axils of the leaves and are followed in autumn by the formation of round to oval, fleshy, shiny fruits hanging from a peduncle, which turn bright pink when ripe. They are edible and consumed in Australia as jam or eaten fresh. They have a melting texture and a refreshing, slightly sour and sweet flavour reminiscent of apple. 

The Syzygium New Port is a beautiful conservatory plant in most areas. In a greenhouse or conservatory, it will form a decorative quartet with an orange tree, a Yuzu and a mimosa, evoking the gardens of the antipodes. In very mild climates, it can be used as a hedge - it tolerates pruning well - or in a border, or even in a well-sheltered orchard, among Feijoa, Mandarin trees, Myrtus ugni, Natal Plum (Carissa macrocarpa). It can also be paired with other coastal evergreen shrubs such as Olearia, Grevillea, or even red-flowered callistemons (Callistemon citrinus 'Splendens').