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Roselle & Egyptian Spinach - Buy One Get One Free
🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌿 Cherry of the Rio Grande "Orange" (Eugenia involucrata) – Rare Orange-Fruited Cherry for Warm Climates! 🍊🍒
Bring a piece of Brazil into your garden with the Cherry of the Rio Grande "Orange"—a rare cultivar that dazzles with its radiant sunset-orange fruit. Offering one of the closest flavors to northern cherries, this subtropical fruit tree doubles as an ornamental centerpiece, thriving in warm climates while adding a splash of brilliance to your landscape.
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Eugenia involucrata |
| Plant Type | Evergreen fruit tree |
| Size at Sale | Ships in a 2-gallon container |
| Mature Height & Width | 10–20 ft tall, 6–10 ft wide (pruned smaller if needed) |
| USDA Zones | 8–11 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Cold Hardiness | Down to ~22°F once established |
| Growth Habit | Upright, compact, moderate growth rate |
| Spacing Requirements | 8–12 ft apart |
🍊 Fruit Details
- Flavor Profile: Sweet-tart, juicy, and aromatic — one of the closest subtropical fruits to northern cherries.
- Texture: Tender, juicy flesh with a pleasant bite.
- Appearance: Round, glossy orange berries about 1–1.5 inches in diameter.
- Harvest Season: April–June in Florida; later in cooler subtropical climates.
- Fruiting Habits: Begins producing within 2–3 years. Self-pollinating, heavy crops once mature.
- Boosting Fruit Set: Balanced organic fertilizer, consistent watering, and pruning for airflow improve yields.
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
- Culinary Uses:
- Eat fresh from the tree for a refreshing, tangy-sweet bite
- Make vibrant orange-hued jams and jellies
- Freeze for smoothies and desserts year-round
- Use in juices, sauces, or even wine-making
- Ornamental Appeal:
- Evergreen foliage with shiny dark-green leaves and copper-tinted new growth
- Clusters of delicate white flowers each spring
- Bright orange fruit creates a stunning garden display
- Cultural & Historical Roots:Native to southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, the Cherry of the Rio Grande (Eugenia involucrata) was prized by Indigenous and rural communities for both food and celebration. Its name comes from the Rio Grande do Sul region of Brazil, where it grows naturally along waterways.
- Folklore: In Brazilian tradition, cherries symbolize prosperity and resilience. Planting one near the home was thought to invite abundance and happiness.
- Modern Recognition: Brought to North America in the 19th century, it became valued as the “subtropical cherry”, admired for its ability to thrive in climates unsuitable for traditional cherries.
- Wildlife Benefits: Pollinator-friendly blossoms attract bees; ripe fruits draw birds.
🌼 Ornamental & Container Gardening Notes
- Landscape Use: Works beautifully as a specimen tree, hedge, or edible privacy screen.
- Year-Round Beauty: Shiny evergreen leaves, spring flowers, and orange fruit ensure four seasons of appeal.
- Container-Friendly: Thrives in large pots (15–25 gallons) with pruning — a great choice for patios or small gardens.
- Indoor Care: Can adapt indoors with strong light (south-facing window or grow lights); prune regularly to maintain size.
🌿 Best Practices for Planting & Care
Where to Plant
- Full sun preferred; tolerates light shade.
- Best in slightly acidic, well-draining soils.
Planting Instructions
- Dig a hole just wider than the pot, same depth.
- Plant “High & Tight” (crown above soil line).
- Backfill with native soil + compost, tamp gently.
- Top-dress with compost, azomite, biochar, and organic fertilizer.
- Mulch around base, leaving 3–4” clear around trunk.
- 📹 Watch our planting method video.
Watering Schedule
- Daily for 1–2 weeks after planting.
- Weekly during the first year.
- Increase during dry spells and fruiting season.
Seasonal Maintenance (Florida & Similar Climates)
- Protect young plants in zones 8–9 from frost with cloth or covers.
- Prune lightly after fruiting to encourage airflow and shape.
⚠️ Cautions
- Pests: Generally pest-resistant; birds may compete for fruit.
- Toxicity: Safe and non-toxic to humans and pets.
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Gardeners in zones 8–11
- Rare fruit collectors and subtropical growers
- Landscapers wanting edible plants with ornamental value
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Growers in zones colder than 8
- Those wanting instant fruit production
❓ FAQ
Q: How is the Orange Cherry of the Rio Grande different from the red variety?
A: This cultivar produces rare orange fruit with the same sweet-tart cherry flavor, adding unique ornamental appeal.
Q: How long does it take to fruit?
A: Typically 2–3 years from planting.
Q: Can it be grown in a container?
A: Yes, it thrives in large pots with regular pruning and feeding.
Q: How cold-hardy is it?
A: Mature trees tolerate ~22°F; young trees should be protected.
Q: Does it need another tree for pollination?
A: No, it is self-pollinating.
📦 Shipping & Handling
- 2-gallon plants ship reliably nationwide.
- Smaller sizes (4” & 1-gallon): Best suited for Florida, Texas, and the Southeast. Plants shipped to northern/western states may require recovery time after transit.
- Seasonal Disclaimer: Buyer discretion advised during extreme heat or cold. We ship every Monday via UPS Ground from Florida and are not responsible for weather-related damage during transit.
📍 Local Pickup Availability
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Open Tues–Fri 9 AM–5 PM | Sat 8 AM–3 PM
Come explore our nursery and choose your tree in person! 🌿
🛒 Add This Rare Cherry to Your Collection!
Ready to taste the closest thing to a northern cherry in a subtropical climate? Order your Orange Cherry of the Rio Grande today and bring Brazilian brilliance into your garden!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
