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Shipping nationwide across the continental U.S.! ๐ฑ
๐ฆ Shipping to California has officially resumed!!
๐ Red Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora) โ Sweet-Tart Flavor Meets Tropical Beauty ๐ฟ
Bring exotic flavor and vibrant color to your landscape with the Red Surinam Cherry! Known for its glossy evergreen foliage, fragrant white blooms, and ribbed, cherry-red fruit, this tropical gem is both ornamental and delicious. Whether youโre creating an edible hedge, attracting pollinators, or adding a vibrant accent to your garden, this plant delivers beauty and bounty year after year.
๐ฟ Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Eugenia uniflora |
| Plant Type | Evergreen shrub/small tree |
| Size at Sale | Ships in 2-gallon container |
| Mature Size (unpruned) | 15โ25 ft tall ร 10โ20 ft wide |
| Mature Size (managed) | 6โ12 ft tall common with pruning |
| USDA Zones | 8b โ 11 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to partial shade |
| Cold Hardiness | 22โ24 ยฐF once established |
| Growth Habit | Dense, bushy, easily shaped for hedges |
| Spacing | Hedge 3โ5 ft apart; Specimen 15โ20 ft apart |
๐ Fruit & Flavor Details
- Appearance: Small, ribbed cherries (~1 inch) turning green โ bright red โ deep crimson.
- Flavor: Sweet-tart and juicy when fully ripe; underripe fruit may taste more resinous.
- Harvest (Florida): Main crop spring โ early summer; lighter crop in fall.
- Yield: Heavy bearer; begins fruiting about 2โ3 years after planting.
- Fruit Set Tips: Self-fertile but produces best with 2โ3 plants nearby; needs full sun and steady moisture.
๐ฑ Top Benefits & Uses
- Culinary: Eat fresh, make jams, chutneys, sauces, syrups, or wine.
- Nutritional: High in vitamin C and antioxidant polyphenols.
- Ornamental: Glossy green leaves with reddish new growth; fragrant white blossoms and vivid fruit add color year-round.
- Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and beneficials; fruit enjoyed by birds.
- Cultural Origin: Native to South America (Brazil, Suriname, Guyana), known as โPitanga.โ
๐ชด Ornamental & Container Notes
- Containers: Thrives in 15โ25 gal pots; prune to 6โ8 ft for patios or balconies.
- Indoors/Overwintering: Move indoors or to greenhouse before frost; give bright light.
- Landscape Use: Excellent edible hedge, screen, or specimen; red leaf flush adds contrast.
๐ฟ Planting & Care (GreenDreams Method)
๐ Where to Plant
- Light: Full sun for best fruit yield (part shade tolerated).
- Soil: Well-draining, organic-rich soil.
๐ฑ Planting Steps (โHigh & Tightโ)
- Dig a hole only slightly wider than the pot and no deeper.
- Place root ball at or slightly above ground level (โHigh & Tightโ).
- Backfill with native soil + compost.
- Top-dress with biochar, Azomite, and compost.
- Mulch with hardwood chips (keep away from trunk).
- Watch our Planting Video โ High & Tight Method
๐ง Watering & Feeding
- Establishment: Water daily for 1โ2 weeks, then 2โ3ร/week first season.
- After Establishment: Weekly deep watering; increase in heat or fruit season.
- Feeding: Quarterly light organic fertilizer + annual compost top-dress.
โ๏ธ Pruning & Maintenance
- Light tip-prune after harvest to encourage branching.
- Shape as hedge or open specimen.
- Keep canopy narrower on top for dense hedges.
๐ฅถ Winter Care
- Protect young plants below 28 ยฐF with frost cloth.
- Mature plants recover well from brief cold down to low 20s ยฐF.
โ๏ธ Important Stewardship Note: The Invasiveness Conversation ๐ฟ
At GreenDreams, we believe in responsible growing through education, not fear.
๐ What the Science Says
- UF IFAS lists Eugenia uniflora as Category 1 Invasive in South Florida, where it can seed into unmanaged tropical hammocks.
- In Central & North Florida (and similar climates), the plant shows minimal or no naturalized impact in native ecosystems.
๐ฟ What Experienced Growers Know
Many long-time Florida growers report that Red Surinam Cherry is a manageable, non-aggressive edible shrub when:
- Grown in maintained gardens or urban landscapes.
- Regularly harvested and pruned.
- Kept away from wild preserves or unmanaged woodlands.
If this species were truly disruptive throughout the state, weโd see widespread infestations in protected areas โ and we donโt.
๐ฑ GreenDreamsโ Balanced Approach
โ Grow responsibly by:
- Harvesting fruit promptly to limit seed spread.
- Removing volunteer seedlings.
- Maintaining seasonal hedge pruning.
- Avoiding planting adjacent to native preserves.
With these simple practices, Surinam Cherry remains a safe, productive, and valuable addition to home landscapes across Florida and the Southeast.
โ ๏ธ Cautions & Stewardship
- Flavor Note: Resinous taste reduces at full ripeness (dark crimson stage).
- Cold Care: Protect under 28 ยฐF.
- Pests: Occasional scale or fruit flies โ manage organically with airflow and sanitation.
- Regional Note: Avoid unmanaged plantings in South Florida hammocks.
๐ Is This Plant Right for You?
โ Ideal For:
- Edible hedges and tropical fruit lovers.
- Pollinator-friendly or wildlife gardens.
- Container gardeners in warm zones.
โ Not Ideal For:
- USDA zones colder than 8b without protection.
- Low-maintenance gardeners who avoid pruning.
- Properties bordering native preserves without management.
โ FAQ
Is the foliage fragrant?
Not sweetly so โ the leaves release a resinous, spicy scent only when crushed or pruned, a trait common in the myrtle family.
How long until it fruits?
Typically 2โ3 years with good sun and soil.
Do I need more than one tree?
No โ self-fertile but more plants mean more fruit.
Is it truly invasive?
Only in unmanaged South Florida wildlands; in home gardens and managed hedges itโs not problematic.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Yes โ use 15โ25 gal container, full sun, and regular pruning.
๐งบ Harvest & Use
- Pick fruit when deep crimson for sweetest flavor.
- Eat fresh or use in preserves, fruit syrups, and desserts.
- In Brazil and the Caribbean, โPitangaโ is often used in juices and homemade liqueurs.
๐ Shipping & Handling
- Ships in 2-gallon container.
- Best Shipping Regions: Florida, Southeast, Texas.
- Nationwide Shipping: Available; plants to northern/western states may need extra recovery time.
- Seasonal Disclaimer: Buyer discretion advised during extreme heat or cold.
- Carrier: UPS Ground โ ships Mondays from Florida.
๐ Ready to Grow?
Add the Red Surinam Cherry to your garden today and enjoy lush foliage, pollinator-friendly blooms, and a sweet-tart harvest for years to come! ๐๐ฟ
๐ Local Pickup
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
TuesโFri 9 AMโ5 PM | Sat 8 AMโ3 PM
๐ฑ Come see whatโs fresh this week!
๐ฟ Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
At GreenDreams, we do more than grow plants โ we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- ๐ณ Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
- ๐พ Installation & project management
- ๐ Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar & soil
- ๐ Wholesale & large-scale regenerative solutionsLet our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise โ starting with resilient species like Red Surinam Cherry!
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.
๐ฟ 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
โ
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.
