Myrtus ugni Butterball

Ugni molinae 'Butterball' (synonym Myrtus ugni 'Butterball') is a superb variety of myrtle with edible fruits that is appreciated for its buttery-yellow juvenile foliage tinged with coral, and its compact habit, which is ideal for small spaces and container cultivation. This small evergreen bush produces delicious strawberry-flavoured fruits and spring flowering bell-shaped flowers with a lily-of-the-valley fragrance. The Chilean Guava remains largely underutilised in our gardens, perhaps due to its lack of hardiness, even though it is not difficult to grow in favourable climates. Native to South America, this plant prefers the moisture and mildness of oceanic climates. It thrives in moist but well-drained soil without excessive limestone, in full sun or partial shade.

Ugni molinae, also known as Eugenia ugni, is a small bush that reaches 2m (7ft) in height in its natural environment, but rarely exceeds 1.5m (5ft) in all directions in our climates. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family and is found in the wild in Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina, on the moist slopes of the Andes and near watercourses. In Europe, the most beautiful specimens are found in Irish gardens.

'Butterball' is more compact and more colourful than the species. It has a slow growth rate and a naturally upright, dense, ramified, bushy habit. It reaches approximately 1m (3ft) in height and 80cm (32in) in width at maturity. The evergreen leaves are shiny, ovate, and leathery, and release a fragrance of strawberry and spice when crushed. They are no more than 1.5cm (1in) long and 1cm (1in) wide, starting with a light-yellow colour tinged with coral orange before turning dark green. The bush is self-fertile. It flowers generously in June. The small globular flowers are white to pink, with 4 to 5 petals and are 1cm (1in) wide. They appear in the axils of the leaves, on the current year's shoots. The fragrant flowers are popular with bees. They are followed by the formation of small round, fleshy, edible, and aromatic fruits. They start off dark red, then lighten as they ripen from September to November. Their flavour resembles that of wild strawberries, guava, and kiwi, with a resinous and spicy note. They can be eaten raw, used in jams, or in pastries, and are also used to make a Chilean liqueur called Murtado.

Hardy to about -8°C (17.6°F), Ugni molinae 'Butterball' is an ornamental plant that is both charming and delicious in cold climates. The small red berries of its wild ancestor, harvested in September, were said to be Queen Victoria's favourite. In a greenhouse or conservatory, it can be combined with an orange tree, a Yuzu, and a Keitt mango to create an extremely decorative quartet, evoking landscapes with exotic charm and fragrance. In mild climates, it can be used as a low hedge - it tolerates pruning well - or in flower beds, or even in a well-sheltered orchard, alongside blueberries, Feijoa, goumi, ragouminier, Pawpaw, and May berries.