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Shipping nationwide across the continental U.S.! 🌱
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🌿 Surinam Cherry ‘Zill’s Black’ (Eugenia uniflora • Pitanga) – 3 Gallon
Meet the Zill’s Black Surinam Cherry: a glossy, fruit-laden beauty that transforms any yard into a mini tropical orchard. 🌞
This larger, 3-gallon plant is nearly landscape-ready, offering a head start on growth and earlier fruiting potential — typically producing within a year or two after planting.
Hand-selected from the premium line developed by Gary Zill, this cultivar outshines ordinary Surinam cherries with its rich, sweet-tart flavor and stunning dark fruit. Compact, evergreen, and ornamental, it’s the perfect edible hedge, patio tree, or food-forest anchor.
🌞 Quick Facts Guide
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Shipping Size | 3-gallon container (approx. 2.8–3 gal soil volume) |
| Estimated Age | 2–3 years old (grafted stock) |
| Mature Height | 12–25 ft unpruned • Easily maintained 8–12 ft with pruning |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | 8b–11 |
| Sunlight Requirements | Full sun (6–8 hours) preferred; tolerates light shade |
| Wind & Salt Tolerance | Moderate wind/salt tolerance — suitable for coastal gardens if wind-sheltered |
| Cold/Frost Tolerance | Handles brief dips to ≈ 28 °F when established |
| Growth Habit | Dense evergreen shrub / compact tree with glossy leaves |
| Spacing Requirements | 10–15 ft between trees • 6–10 ft for hedge |
| Container Friendly? | Yes — performs beautifully in 25–45 gal pots |
| Landscape Readiness | Ships larger & sturdier — ideal for direct landscape planting |
🍒 Fruit & Flavor Profile
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Fruit Color | Deep purple-black when ripe |
| Flesh Texture | Juicy, tender, aromatic |
| Taste | Sweet-tart with tropical spice & low resin finish |
| Yield Potential | High once mature; dark-fruit types yield superior flavor |
| Harvest Season (FL) | Late spring → early summer (main crop) • Extended in zones 9–11 |
🌍 Origin Story
Native to the Atlantic coast of South America, Eugenia uniflora has charmed tropical gardeners for centuries. Once valued mainly as a hedge, its resinous fruit kept it from the dessert plate — until Florida’s Gary Zill perfected a darker, sweeter line.
‘Zill’s Black’ (also known as ‘Zill’s Dark’) now leads the pack, prized by collectors for its smooth flavor, bold color, and elite genetics — truly the “gourmet upgrade” of the classic Pitanga.
🌿 Top Reasons to Grow This 3-Gallon Size
- 🍒 Near-term harvests: Larger root system means faster flowering & fruiting.
- 🌳 Instant landscape appeal: Fuller canopy & established branching.
- 🌾 Edible + ornamental: Shiny leaves, fragrant blooms, sculptural trunk.
- 🌱 Resilient: Tolerates drought, heat, & mild coastal exposure.
- 🌸 Pollinator magnet: Bees & butterflies love the delicate white blossoms.
- 💧 Low-maintenance: Adaptable to most soils once established.
📊 Seasonal Care Calendar (Florida & Gulf Coast)
| Season | Growth Stage | Key Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Bloom & new growth | Organic feed, steady irrigation. |
| Late Spring → Early Summer | Main harvest window | Pick fully dark fruit; refresh mulch. |
| Summer | Second flush possible | Maintain moisture; monitor pests. |
| Fall | Slower growth | Light pruning, compost top-dress. |
| Winter (8b-9a) | Evergreen rest | Protect from frost; water before freezes. |
🌱 Planting & Care — GreenDreams “High & Tight” Method
| Step | Guidance |
|---|---|
| 1 — Location | Full sun, well-draining soil. Avoid water-logged spots. |
| 2 — Dig Hole | Only slightly wider than pot; same depth. |
| 3 — Set Plant High & Tight | Keep crown just above grade; do not bury trunk. |
| 4 — Backfill | Native soil + compost blend; pack firmly. |
| 5 — Top Dress | Biochar + compost + azomite + organic nutrients. |
| 6 — Mulch | 2–3″ hardwood mulch, 4–6″ away from trunk. |
| 7 — Watering | Drip irrigation best; deep soak 1–2× per week first year. |
| 8 — Fertilizer | Balanced organic formula quarterly. |
| 9 — Pruning | Light prune after fruiting; avoid pre-bloom shearing. |
| 10 — Transplant Tip | Keep in original container for ≈ 1–2 weeks post-arrival until new growth resumes (to reduce shock). |
▶️ Watch: How to Plant a Fruit Tree – High & Tight Method
🔍 Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Likely Cause | Organic Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Resinous taste | Picked too early | Wait for fruit to turn fully black & soft. |
| Poor fruit set | Insufficient sun / early pruning | Increase sunlight, prune only post-harvest. |
| Leaf bronzing | Cold stress | Cover young plants; water before freeze. |
| Bird damage | Visible ripening fruit | Netting or reflective ribbon. |
| Container wilt | Root-bound / dry mix | Up-pot; keep medium consistently moist. |
🌼 Companion & Support Plants
| Function | Best Pairings (from GreenDreams inventory) |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen Boost | Pigeon Pea • Mexican Sunflower |
| Pollination Support | Firebush • Blue Porterweed • Goldenrod |
| Ground Cover / Mulch Producer | Perennial Peanut • Sissoo Spinach |
| Visual Accent | Bananas • Pineapple • Tropical Gingers |
🍴 Culinary & Cultural Use
In its native range, pitanga is turned into jams, juices, sorbets, and even small-batch wines. The fruit’s antioxidants, vitamin C, and essential oils give it both nutritional and aromatic value. For home growers, ‘Zill’s Black’ adds the gourmet twist: the same tropical zing, minus the resin.
Try blending ripe fruit into smoothies or simmering with honey 🍯 for a rich syrup drizzle.
🌳 Landscape & Production Use
- Ornamental: Year-round evergreen foliage & sculpted form make this an excellent hedge or focal specimen.
- Edible Hedge: Plant 6–10 ft apart for a living fence that fruits!
- Food-Forest Production: Space 10–15 ft; maintain 10–12 ft height for convenient harvest; late-spring yield window.
- Container Cultivation: Performs beautifully in 25–45 gal pots; overwinter in bright, frost-free areas if outside zones 9–11.
✅ Is This Plant for You?
| Ideal For | Not Ideal For |
|---|---|
| Warm-climate homeowners (zones 9–11) | Regions with long, hard freezes (< 20 °F) |
| Designers creating edible hedges & screens | Shady yards or poorly drained sites |
| Container growers in 8b | “Plant-and-forget” gardens needing zero care |
⚠️ Florida Note
Surinam Cherry is invasive in unmanaged South Florida zones. Plant responsibly: harvest fruit, prune regularly, and avoid bordering natural preserves.
📦 Shipping & Local Pickup
- Shipping: 3-gallon size ships UPS Ground every Monday from Florida. Best suited for FL, SE US & TX destinations. Buyer discretion during extreme heat/cold.
- Local Pickup: Larger specimens (5–15 gal sizes) available at:GreenDreams Nursery & Farm18709 US Hwy 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610Tues–Fri 9 AM–5 PM | Sat 8 AM–3 PM
- Disclaimer: We’re not responsible for weather-related transit stress; allow recovery after arrival.
🌿 Beyond the Plant – GreenDreams Services
- 🌳 On-site consultations & edible landscape design
- 🌱 Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar & soil
- 🌾 Wholesale & large-scale regenerative projects
Start your edible paradise with ‘Zill’s Black’ 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.
🌿 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.
