Pineapple guavas, also called feijoas, grow as dense shrubs or small trees with gray-green leaves. The aromatic flowers and fruit are both edible; the fruits taste something like pineapples.




Photograph by Shari Kaplan







Leaves, pods and berries make good autumn decor

By Tony Tomeo

Referring to a sample of diseased Japanese black pine on my desk, my neighbor said, "What a pretty arrangement." Although I realize this was intended as a compliment, I found it interesting that the most notable item in my office was a vase of diseased pine foliage and that my various exotic, tropical species were ignored. (Perhaps Martha Stewart should compose an article on "Decorating with Diseased Specimens.")

Then I remembered all the strange plant parts I have seen used in floral design or as a substitute for it. For example, one of the crop science professors back at Cal Poly always kept a vase of wheat on his desk. And my colleague, Brent Green, thought that a large, woody, floral stem of a Canary Island date palm with the dates removed could be abstractly appealing.

Many plant species provide non-floral parts that may be added to cut flowers brought in from the garden, or enjoyed even without flowers. The most commonly used non-floral parts include foliage or fruiting parts such as berries and seed capsules. Stems and even bark of some species are also useful. In fact, one of the clients who visits our nursery to select stock also collects gnarled stems covered with lichens that have been pruned from our apple trees.

Huckleberry, Southern magnolia, African boxwood, coastal redwood, Japanese euonymus cultivars, various species of acacia and various species of eucalyptus are only some examples of species that provide ornamental foliage. Leaves (without stems) of New Zealand flax, bird-of-paradise and some palms may be useful as well.

Showy berries may be collected from firethorn (pyracantha), cotoneaster, hawthorn, Indian hawthorn, toyon, barberry and some species of holly. Interesting fruiting structures can also be observed among crabapple, California peppertree, strawberry tree, nandina and citrus (those with small fruit, such as kumquats) as well as dried corn and gourds. Small pumpkins are currently popular.

Dried seed capsules that may be useful include those of clematis, jacaranda, goldenrain tree, southern magnolia, sycamore and various species of eucalyptus. Some species of eucalyptus also provide very interesting bark or foliage. Coarse, shaggy bark can also be obtained from coastal redwood and various species of melaleuca and bottlebrush.

Like foliage, ornamental stems can be collected from any species that seems appealing. Various species of bamboo, dogwood, moosewood (maple) and filbert are among the most popular. Cat-tails, pinecones, fir cones, New Zealand flax flower stalks and various species of palm possess floral parts that are very different from typical flowers that have been used creatively. Of course, there is no limit to the species that may be used in one form or another for floral or "not-so-floral" design.

Plant of the Week: Pineapple guava

At about this time of year, Privet the terrier and I walk to the park to collect the fruit of the pineapple guava, Feijoa sellowiana. It forms a hedge at much of the perimeter of the park and produces abundant fruit. Either the fruit is so abundant that it can't all be consumed by everyone who wants it, or it just is not seen among the similarly colored foliage. Consequently, much of it rots on the ground.

The 2- to 4-inch-long oval fruit is very aromatic and, like the foliage, is grayish green. It is best when picked up at its ripest from the ground rather than from the tree. The flavor is variable and difficult to describe, but usually resembles that of pineapple.

Petals of the flowers are also edible and may be added to salads. Flowers are naturally pollinated by birds that eat the petals. If petals are removed, leaving the rest of the floral parts, fruit may occur if the flower has already been pollinated by bees.

Pineapple guava forms a densely foliated large shrub or small tree up to 20 feet tall and wide. The approximately 2-inch-long oval leaves are grayish above like the fruit, but silvery beneath; they're useful with cut flowers. Lower growth may be pruned away to expose interestingly structured, reddish brown, multiple trunks. If maintained as a hedge or screen, selective pruning rather than random shearing will allow for development of fruit.

Pineapple guavas prefer full sun exposure and infrequent irrigation.

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Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.

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